Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Schedule of Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Aggregate purchase price	$ 13,990,000	$ 660,000	$ 1,246,000
Aggregate selling price	30,800,000
Fair value of consideration transferred [Abstract]
Total aggregate fair value of purchase consideration transferred	10,746,000
Purchase price allocation [Abstract]
Gain on acquisition	1,982,000	0	0
Adjustment to gain on acquisition	1,500,000
Original gain on acquisition	3,500,000
Total purchase price allocation	10,746,000
Direct and indirect acquisition costs	14,400,000
Horizon Bay Realty LLC [Member]
Schedule of Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Date of acquisition or disposition	2011-09-01
Percentage of equity agreed to acquire (in hundredths)	100.00%
Number of communities previously leased to Horizon Bay from HCP, Inc.	33
Number of communities owned and operated through joint venture with HCP, Inc.	21
Number of communities leased from HCP, Inc	12
Percentage of interest acquired in joint venture	10.00%
Management agreement of joint venture (in years)	10
Number of five-year renewal options under the management agreement	4
Number of communities where the HCP, Inc. pre-existing lease was assumed	8
Number of communities where new lease was entered into	4
Number of communities that are provided management services from acquired company	58
Number of Chartwell communities of acquired company that are managed by third party	45
Number of AEW communities of acquired company that are managed by third party	3
Fair value of consideration transferred [Abstract]
Cash	6,500,000
Common stock, value	1,538,000
Contingent consideration, at fair value	2,708,000
Common stock, shares	96,862
Maximum contingent consideration	3,400,000
Contingent consideration arrangements description	The contingent consideration arrangement requires the Company to pay up to a maximum of approximately $3.4 million to Horizon Bay’s former members.  The estimated fair value of this contingent consideration arrangement at the acquisition date was $2.7 million.  The Company estimated the fair value of the contingent consideration using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model.  This fair value measurement is based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement as defined in ASC 820. The key assumption in applying the income approach was the assignment of probabilities to the various possible outcomes.
Purchase price allocation [Abstract]
Current assets	24,501,000
Property and equipment	2,167,000
Acquired lease intangibles	5,965,000
Current liabilities	(15,979,000)
Long-term debt	(1,821,000)
Other liabilities	(718,000)
Deferred tax liability	(1,387,000)
Gain on acquisition	(1,982,000)
Amount contributed to formation of joint venture	13,700,000
Ownership interest in joint venture	10.00%
Independent Living Communities [Member]
Schedule of Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Date of acquisition or disposition		2010-06-16
Number of facilities purchased or sold		4
Aggregate purchase price		22,500,000
Purchase price allocation [Abstract]
Direct and indirect acquisition costs		300,000
Home Health Agencies [Member]
Schedule of Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Number of facilities purchased or sold		7
Aggregate purchase price		8,000,000
Twelve Assisted Living Communities [Member]
Schedule of Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Date of acquisition or disposition	2011-01-13
Number of facilities purchased or sold	12
Aggregate purchase price	31,300,000
One (Real Estate Interest) Assisted Living Community [Member]
Schedule of Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Date of acquisition or disposition	2011-02-01
Number of facilities purchased or sold	1
Aggregate purchase price	9,800,000
One Assisted Living Community [Member]
Schedule of Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Date of acquisition or disposition	2011-02-01
Number of facilities purchased or sold	1
Aggregate purchase price	9,200,000
One Assisted Living Community, Previously Managed [Member]
Schedule of Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Date of acquisition or disposition	2011-11-01
Number of facilities purchased or sold	1
Aggregate purchase price	30,200,000
Three Home Health Facilities [Member]
Schedule of Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Number of facilities purchased or sold	3
Aggregate purchase price	$ 4,200,000
Four Communities sold [Member]
Schedule of Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Number of facilities purchased or sold	4