Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 325,321,000		$ 325,321,000		$ 325,321,000
Adjustments	(140,000)		(140,000)		(142,000)
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	(215,628,000)		(215,628,000)		(215,486,000)
Net	109,553,000		109,553,000		109,693,000
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	329,747,000		329,747,000		325,671,000
Accumulated Amortization	(174,682,000)		(174,682,000)		(154,330,000)
Net	155,065,000		155,065,000		171,341,000
Amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets	2,900,000	8,700,000	20,400,000	26,100,000
Retirement Centers [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	7,642,000		7,642,000		7,642,000
Adjustments	(34,000)		(34,000)		0
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	(487,000)		(487,000)		(487,000)
Net	7,121,000		7,121,000		7,155,000
Assisted Living [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	102,680,000		102,680,000		102,680,000
Adjustments	(106,000)		(106,000)		(142,000)
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	(142,000)		(142,000)		0
Net	102,432,000		102,432,000		102,538,000
CCRCs [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	214,999,000		214,999,000		214,999,000
Adjustments	0		0		0
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	(214,999,000)		(214,999,000)		(214,999,000)
Net	0		0		0
Community purchase options [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	147,610,000		147,610,000		147,782,000
Accumulated Amortization	(16,641,000)		(16,641,000)		(13,867,000)
Net	130,969,000		130,969,000		133,915,000
Management contracts and other [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	158,041,000		158,041,000		158,041,000
Accumulated Amortization	(158,041,000)		(158,041,000)		(140,463,000)
Net	0		0		17,578,000
Home health licenses [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	24,096,000		24,096,000		19,848,000
Accumulated Amortization	0		0		0
Net	$ 24,096,000		$ 24,096,000		$ 19,848,000

Other goodwill adjustments.

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