Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 325,321,000		$ 325,321,000
Adjustments	(140,000)		(140,000)
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	(215,628,000)		(215,628,000)
Net	109,553,000		109,553,000
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	175,374,000		171,702,000
Accumulated Amortization	(18,490,000)		(17,566,000)
Net	156,884,000		154,136,000
Amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets	900,000	8,700,000
Community purchase options [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	147,610,000		147,610,000
Accumulated Amortization	(18,490,000)		(17,566,000)
Net	129,120,000		130,044,000
Home health licenses [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	27,764,000		24,092,000
Accumulated Amortization	0		0
Net	27,764,000		24,092,000
Retirement Centers [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	7,642,000		7,642,000
Adjustments	(34,000)		(34,000)
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	(487,000)		(487,000)
Net	7,121,000		7,121,000
Assisted Living [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	102,680,000		102,680,000
Adjustments	(106,000)		(106,000)
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	(142,000)		(142,000)
Net	102,432,000		102,432,000
CCRCs [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	214,999,000		214,999,000
Adjustments	0		0
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	(214,999,000)		(214,999,000)
Net	$ 0		$ 0