Property, Plant and Equipment and Leasehold Intangibles, Net (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles, gross	$ 4,980,247		$ 4,980,247		$ 4,914,760
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,291,217)		(1,291,217)		(1,177,918)
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles, net	3,689,030		3,689,030		3,736,842
Asset impairment, non-cash charge	0	0	14,846	0
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles, gross	273,306		273,306		273,214
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles, gross	3,019,657		3,019,657		3,003,788
Furniture and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles, gross	417,623		417,623		382,488
Resident and Leasehold Operating Intangibles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles, gross	586,254		586,254		588,633
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles, gross	30,287		30,287		16,463
Assets Held under Capital and Financing Leases [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles, gross	$ 653,120		$ 653,120		$ 650,174