Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 325,321,000		$ 325,321,000		$ 325,321,000
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	215,768,000		215,768,000		215,768,000
Net	109,553,000		109,553,000		109,553,000
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	184,791,000		184,791,000		181,277,000
Accumulated Amortization	24,837,000		24,837,000		21,335,000
Net	159,954,000		159,954,000		159,942,000
Amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets	1,200,000	1,000,000	3,500,000	2,800,000
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	24,037,000		24,037,000		21,263,000
Net	123,573,000		123,573,000		126,347,000
Health care licenses [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	33,850,000		33,850,000		31,082,000
Accumulated Amortization	0		0		0
Net	33,850,000		33,850,000		31,082,000
Other [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	3,331,000		3,331,000		2,585,000
Accumulated Amortization	800,000		800,000		72,000
Net	2,531,000		2,531,000		2,513,000
Retirement Centers [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	7,642,000		7,642,000		7,642,000
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	521,000		521,000		521,000
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
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	248,000		248,000		248,000
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
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
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	158,718,000		158,718,000		158,718,000
Net	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0