Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 325,321,000		$ 325,321,000		$ 325,321,000
Adjustments	(140,000)		(140,000)		(140,000)
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	(215,628,000)		(215,628,000)		(215,628,000)
Net	109,553,000		109,553,000		109,553,000
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	178,343,000		178,343,000		171,702,000
Accumulated Amortization	(20,339,000)		(20,339,000)		(17,566,000)
Net	158,004,000		158,004,000		154,136,000
Amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets	1,000,000	2,900,000	2,800,000	20,400,000
Community purchase options [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	147,610,000		147,610,000		147,610,000
Accumulated Amortization	(20,339,000)		(20,339,000)		(17,566,000)
Net	127,271,000		127,271,000		130,044,000
Health care licenses [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	30,733,000		30,733,000		24,092,000
Accumulated Amortization	0		0		0
Net	30,733,000		30,733,000		24,092,000
Retirement Centers [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	7,642,000		7,642,000		7,642,000
Adjustments	(34,000)		(34,000)		(34,000)
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	(487,000)		(487,000)		(487,000)
Net	7,121,000		7,121,000		7,121,000
Assisted Living [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	102,680,000		102,680,000		102,680,000
Adjustments	(106,000)		(106,000)		(106,000)
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	(142,000)		(142,000)		(142,000)
Net	102,432,000		102,432,000		102,432,000
CCRCs - Rental [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	56,281,000		56,281,000		56,281,000
Adjustments	0		0		0
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	(56,281,000)		(56,281,000)		(56,281,000)
Net	0		0		0
CCRCs - Entry Fee [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	158,718,000		158,718,000		158,718,000
Adjustments	0		0		0
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	(158,718,000)		(158,718,000)		(158,718,000)
Net	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0