Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Sep. 30, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. In the opinion of management, these financial statements include all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of September 30, 2014, and for all periods presented. The condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting. All adjustments made have been of a normal and recurring nature. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. The Company believes that the disclosures included are adequate and provide a fair presentation of interim period results. Interim financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the financial position or operating results for an entire year. It is suggested that these interim financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto, together with management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The results of communities and companies acquired are included in the consolidated financial statements from the effective date of the respective acquisition. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Resident Fees Resident fee revenue is recorded when services are rendered and consists of fees for basic housing, support services and fees associated with additional services such as personalized health and assisted living care. Residency agreements are generally for a term of 30 days to one year, with resident fees billed monthly in advance. Revenue for certain skilled nursing services and ancillary charges is recognized as services are provided and is billed monthly in arrears. Entrance Fees Certain of the Company's communities have residency agreements which require the resident to pay an upfront entrance fee prior to occupying the community. The non-refundable portion of the entrance fee is recorded as deferred entrance fee revenue and amortized over the estimated stay of the resident based on an actuarial valuation. The refundable portion of a resident's entrance fee is generally refundable within a certain number of months or days following contract termination or upon the sale of the unit. The refundable portion of the fee is not amortized and included in refundable entrance fees. All refundable amounts due to residents at any time in the future are classified as current liabilities. Management Fees Management fee revenue is recorded as services are provided to the owners of the communities. Revenues are determined by an agreed upon percentage of gross revenues (as defined). Reimbursed Costs Incurred on Behalf of Managed Communities The Company manages certain communities under contracts which provide for payment to the Company of a monthly management fee plus reimbursement of certain operating expenses. Where the Company is the primary obligor with respect to any such operating expenses, the Company recognizes revenue when the goods have been delivered or the service has been rendered and the Company is due reimbursement. Such revenue is included in "reimbursed costs incurred on behalf of managed communities" on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The related costs are included in "costs incurred on behalf of managed communities" on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Purchase Accounting	Purchase Accounting In determining the allocation of the purchase price of companies and communities to net tangible and identified intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, the Company makes estimates of fair value using information obtained as a result of pre-acquisition due diligence, marketing, leasing activities and/or independent appraisals. The Company allocates the purchase price of communities based on their fair values in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 805 - Business Combinations ("ASC 805"). The determination of fair value involves the use of significant judgment and estimation. The Company determines fair values as follows: Working capital assets acquired and working capital liabilities assumed are valued on a carryover/cost basis which approximates fair value. Property, plant and equipment are valued utilizing either a discounted cash flow projection of future revenue and costs, and capitalization and discount rates using current market conditions or a direct capitalization method. The Company allocates the fair values of buildings acquired on an as-if-vacant basis and depreciates the building value over the estimated remaining life of the building, not to exceed 40 years. The Company determines the allocated values of other fixed assets, such as site improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment, based upon the replacement cost and depreciates such value over the assets' estimated remaining useful lives as determined at the applicable acquisition date. The Company determines the value of land either by considering the sales prices of similar properties in recent transactions or based on internal analysis of recently acquired and existing comparable properties within its portfolio. In connection with a business combination, the Company may assume rights and obligations under certain lease agreements pursuant to which the Company becomes the lessee of a given property. The Company assumes the lease classification previously determined by the prior lessee absent a modification in the assumed lease agreement. The Company assesses assumed operating leases, including ground leases, to determine whether the lease terms are favorable or unfavorable to the Company given current market conditions on the acquisition date. To the extent the lease terms are favorable or unfavorable relative to market conditions on the acquisition date, the Company recognizes an intangible asset or liability at fair value. The Company amortizes any acquired lease-related intangibles to facility lease expense over the remaining life of the associated lease plus any assumed bargain renewal periods. The fair value of acquired lease-related intangibles associated with the relationship with the Company's residents, if any, reflects the estimated value of in-place leases as represented by the cost to obtain residents and an estimated absorption period to reflect the value of the rent and recovery costs foregone during a reasonable lease-up period as if the acquired space was vacant. The Company amortizes any acquired in-place lease intangibles to depreciation and amortization expense over the average remaining length of stay of the residents, which is generally estimated at 12 months. The Company estimates the fair value of purchase option intangible assets by discounting the difference between the applicable property's acquisition date fair value and an estimate of its future option price. The Company estimates the fair value of trade names using a royalty rate methodology and amortizes that value over the estimated useful life of the trade name. Management contracts and other acquired contracts are valued at a multiple of management fees and operating income or are valued utilizing discounted cash flow projections that assume certain future revenues and costs over the remaining contract term. The assets are then amortized over the estimated term of the agreement. The Company calculates the fair value of acquired long-term debt by discounting the remaining contractual cash flows on each instrument at the current market rate for those borrowings, which the Company approximates based on the rate at which the Company would expect to incur a replacement instrument on the date of acquisition, and recognizes any fair value adjustments related to long-term debt as effective yield adjustments over the remaining term of the instrument. Capital lease assets are valued by the Company as a right-to-use asset. Financing lease assets are valued as if the Company owns the assets and thus are recorded at fair value. Capital and financing lease obligations are valued based on the present value of the estimated lease payments applying a discount rate equal to the Company's estimated incremental borrowing rate at the date of acquisition. Additionally, the valuation of financing lease obligations reflects a residual value component. Preacquisition contingencies are valued when considered probable and reasonably estimable, and legal fees are accrued for in accordance with the Company's existing policy. A deferred tax asset or liability is recognized at statutory rates for the difference between the book and tax bases of the acquired assets and liabilities. The tax basis of assets and liabilities in the Emeritus transaction is carried over at historical values. The excess of the fair value of liabilities assumed and common stock issued and cash paid over the fair value of identifiable assets acquired is allocated to goodwill, which is not amortized by the Company. The critical inputs that are used as a part of the Company's fair value purchase price allocation (excluding working capital) are Level 3 inputs, with the exception of debt which is valued with Level 2 inputs.
Deferred Costs	Deferred Financing Costs Deferred financing costs include fees and costs incurred to obtain long-term debt and are recorded in other assets and amortized on a straight-line basis, which approximates the effective yield method, over the term of the related debt. Unamortized deferred financing fees are written-off when debt is retired before the maturity date. Upon the refinancing of mortgage debt or amendment of the line of credit, unamortized deferred financing fees and additional financing costs incurred are accounted for in accordance with ASC 470-50, Debt Modifications and Extinguishments.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments ASC 820 – Fair Value Measurements establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. A financial instruments categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are defined as follows: Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2 – Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 3 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. Cash and cash equivalents and cash and escrow deposits – restricted are reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets at amounts considered by management to reasonably approximate fair value due to the short maturity. The Company estimates the fair value of its debt using a discounted cash flow analysis based upon the Company's current borrowing rate for debt with similar maturities and collateral securing the indebtedness. The Company had outstanding debt with a carrying value of approximately $3.7 billion as of September 30, 2014 and $2.3 billion as of December 31, 2013. The Company had capital and financing lease obligations with a carrying value of $2.7 billion and $0.3 billion as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Fair value of the debt and capital and financing lease obligations approximates carrying value in all periods. The Company's fair value of debt disclosure is classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.
Self-Insurance Liability Accruals	Self-Insurance Liability Accruals The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business. Although the Company maintains general liability and professional liability insurance policies for its owned, leased and managed communities under a master insurance program, the Company's current policies provide for deductibles for each and every claim. As a result, the Company is, in effect, self-insured for claims that are less than the deductible amounts. In addition, the Company maintains a large-deductible workers compensation program and a self-insured employee medical program. Emeritus provided professional liability coverage for approximately one-half of its operating locations through a wholly owned captive, and the captive did not itself acquire excess professional liability coverage until October 1, 2013. Consequently, as a result of the Emeritus acquisition, the Company retains full exposure for professional liability claims incurred at those locations before October 1, 2013 and made prior to July 31, 2014. The Company reviews the adequacy of its accruals related to these liabilities on an ongoing basis, using historical claims, actuarial valuations, third party administrator estimates, consultants, advice from legal counsel and industry data, and adjusts accruals periodically. Estimated costs related to these self-insurance programs are accrued based on known claims and projected claims incurred but not yet reported. Subsequent changes in actual experience are monitored and estimates are updated as information is available.
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting Pronouncements In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists ("ASU 2013-11"). ASU 2013-11 changes the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. These changes require an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit as a liability in the financial statements if (i) a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position, or (ii) the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position. Otherwise, an unrecognized tax benefit is required to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. The Company adopted the provisions of this update as of January 1, 2014 and incorporated the provisions of this update to its condensed consolidated financial statements upon adoption. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations. In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity ("ASU 2014-08"). ASU 2014-08 changes the definition of a discontinued operation to include only those disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. ASU 2014-08 is effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014 and is available for early adoption as of January 1, 2014. The Company adopted the provisions of ASU 2014-08 as of January 1, 2014 and incorporated the provisions of this update to its condensed consolidated financial statements upon adoption. The adoption of ASU 2014-08 did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2014-09"). ASU 2014-09 affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets. Under ASU 2014-09, an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what it expects in exchange for the goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern ("ASU 2014-15"). ASU 2014-15 defines management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2014-15 will have on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current financial statement presentation, with no effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Disclosure of accounting policy for completed business combinations (purchase method, acquisition method or combination of entities under common control). This accounting policy may include a general discussion of the purchase method or acquisition method of accounting (including for example, the treatment accorded contingent consideration, the identification of assets and liabilities, the purchase price allocation process, how the fair values of acquired assets and liabilities are determined) and the entity's specific application thereof. An entity that acquires another entity in a leveraged buyout transaction generally discloses the accounting policy followed by the acquiring entity in determining the basis used to value its interest in the acquired entity, and the rationale for that accounting policy.

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Disclosure of accounting policy for revenue recognition. If the entity has different policies for different types of revenue transactions, the policy for each material type of transaction is generally disclosed. If a sales transaction has multiple element arrangements (for example, delivery of multiple products, services or the rights to use assets) the disclosure may indicate the accounting policy for each unit of accounting as well as how units of accounting are determined and valued. The disclosure may encompass important judgment as to appropriateness of principles related to recognition of revenue. The disclosure also may indicate the entity's treatment of any unearned or deferred revenue that arises from the transaction.

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