Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014 Segment		Jun. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Information [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments					6
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 748,393		$ 716,468		$ 1,495,668		$ 1,428,734
Segment operating income	225,591	[1]	212,655	[1]	453,433	[1]	431,631	[1]
General and administrative (including non-cash stock-based compensation expense)	53,816		46,035		109,325		92,646
Facility lease expense	70,030		68,777		139,899		137,796
Depreciation and amortization	71,088		67,254		141,404		131,913
Asset impairment	0		2,154		0		2,154
Income from operations	30,657		28,435		62,805		67,122
Total assets	4,750,776				4,750,776				4,737,757
Retirement Centers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	133,441	[2]	130,170	[2]	265,790	[2]	259,092	[2]
Segment operating income	56,891	[1]	54,177	[1]	113,121	[1]	107,511	[1]
Total assets	1,259,051				1,259,051				1,258,294
Assisted Living [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	277,230	[2]	260,497	[2]	554,661	[2]	521,112	[2]
Segment operating income	104,246	[1]	96,181	[1]	209,238	[1]	192,466	[1]
Total assets	1,533,312				1,533,312				1,514,385
Brookdale Ancillary Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	65,534	[2]	58,693	[2]	128,951	[2]	118,891	[2]
Segment operating income	12,905	[1]	11,214	[1]	25,658	[1]	24,314	[1]
Total assets	90,096				90,096				94,986
CCRCs Rental [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	98,212	[2]	97,562	[2]	196,156	[2]	197,889	[2]
Segment operating income	25,693	[1]	25,567	[1]	52,523	[1]	54,644	[1]
Total assets	497,710				497,710				499,873
CCRCs Entry Fee [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	79,100	[2]	74,016	[2]	158,269	[2]	148,324	[2]
Segment operating income	18,367	[1]	17,772	[1]	38,002	[1]	37,343	[1]
Total assets	964,049				964,049				960,708
Management Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	94,876	[3]	95,530	[3]	191,841	[3]	183,426	[3]
Segment operating income	7,489	[1]	7,744	[1]	14,891	[1]	15,353	[1]
Total assets	$ 406,558				$ 406,558				$ 409,511

[1] Segment operating income is defined as segment revenues less segment operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization).

[2] All revenue is earned from external third parties in the United States.

[3] Management services segment revenue includes reimbursements for which the Company is the primary obligor of costs incurred on behalf of managed communities.