Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 325,321,000		$ 325,321,000
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	215,768,000		215,768,000
Net	109,553,000		109,553,000
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	181,279,000		181,277,000
Accumulated Amortization	22,475,000		21,335,000
Net	158,804,000		159,942,000
Amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets	1,100,000	900,000
Community Purchase Options [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	147,610,000		147,610,000
Accumulated Amortization	22,188,000		21,263,000
Net	125,422,000		126,347,000
Health care licenses [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	31,084,000		31,082,000
Accumulated Amortization	0		0
Net	31,084,000		31,082,000
Other [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	2,585,000		2,585,000
Accumulated Amortization	287,000		72,000
Net	2,298,000		2,513,000
Retirement Centers [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	7,642,000		7,642,000
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	521,000		521,000
Net	7,121,000		7,121,000
Assisted Living [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	102,680,000		102,680,000
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	248,000		248,000
Net	102,432,000		102,432,000
CCRCs - Rental [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	56,281,000		56,281,000
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	56,281,000		56,281,000
Net	0		0
CCRCs - Entry Fee [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	158,718,000		158,718,000
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	158,718,000		158,718,000
Net	$ 0		$ 0