CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balances at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 1,020,937	$ 1,277	$ 2,025,471	$ (46,800)	$ (959,011)	$ 1,020,937	$ 0
Balances at beginning of period - (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	127,726,611	127,727,000
Establishment of noncontrolling interest in Emeritus acquisition	953	0	0	0	0	0	953
Compensation expense related to restricted stock grants	23,170	0	23,170	0	0	23,170	0
Net loss	(42,630)	0	0	0	(42,456)	(42,456)	(174)
Common stock issued in connection with Emeritus acquisition	1,648,782	476	1,648,306	0	0	1,648,782	0
Common stock issued in connection with Emeritus acquisition (in shares)		47,584,000
Issuance of common stock from equity offering, net	330,405	103	330,302	0	0	330,405	0
Issuance of common stock from equity offering, net (in shares)	10,298,506	10,299,000
Issuance of common stock under Associate Stock Purchase Plan - (in shares)		45,000
Issuance of common stock under Associate Stock Purchase Plan	1,323	0	1,323	0	0	1,323	0
Restricted stock, net	0	14	(14)	0	0	0	0
Restricted stock, net - (in shares)		1,349,000
Other	273	0	273	0	0	273	0
Balances at end of period at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 2,983,213	$ 1,870	$ 4,028,831	$ (46,800)	$ (1,001,467)	$ 2,982,434	$ 779
Balances at end of period - (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014	187,003,647	187,004,000