Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Term of residency agreements - minimum (in days)	30 days
Term of residency agreements - maximum (in years)	1 year
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted [Line Items]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, current	$ 38,191,000	$ 43,096,000
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, long term	57,611,000	62,767,000
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, total	95,802,000	105,863,000
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	17,700,000	15,300,000
Weighted Average [Member] | Community Purchase Options [Member]
Finite lived intangible assets - useful lives [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	40 years
Minimum [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Finite lived intangible assets - useful lives [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	3 years
Maximum [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Finite lived intangible assets - useful lives [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	5 years
Buildings and Improvements [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Estimated useful life of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	40 years
Furniture and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Estimated useful life of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	3 years
Furniture and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Estimated useful life of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	7 years
Resident lease intangibles [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Estimated useful life of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	1 year
Resident lease intangibles [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Estimated useful life of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	4 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Estimated useful life of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	Shorter of the lease term or asset useful life
Leasehold Operating Intangibles [Member]
Estimated useful life of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	Shorter of the lease term or asset useful life
Assets Under Capital and Financing Leases [Member]
Estimated useful life of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	Shorter of the lease term or asset useful life
Real estate taxes [Member]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted [Line Items]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, current	9,252,000	11,502,000
Tenant security deposits [Member]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted [Line Items]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, current	1,541,000	2,015,000
Insurance reserves [Member]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted [Line Items]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, current	11,226,000	12,892,000
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, long term	11,227,000	5,188,000
Entrance fees [Member]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted [Line Items]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, current	6,264,000	4,159,000
Replacement reserve and other [Member]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted [Line Items]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, current	9,908,000	12,528,000
Debt service and other deposits [Member]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted [Line Items]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, long term	46,384,000	57,579,000
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair value of financial instruments [Abstract]
Debt at carrying value	2,600,000,000	2,700,000,000
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair value of financial instruments [Abstract]
Fair value of debt	$ 2,600,000,000	$ 2,700,000,000