Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 1,235,702	$ 1,238,841	$ 1,238,184	$ 1,247,881	$ 1,252,103	$ 1,083,935	$ 748,393	$ 747,275	$ 4,960,608	$ 3,831,706	$ 2,891,966
Asset impairment	57,941	0	0	0	9,992	0	0	0	57,941	9,992	12,891
Income from operations	(8,873)	3,663	(43,123)	(116,873)	(74,513)	(73,197)	30,657	32,148	(165,206)	(84,905)	131,288
Loss before income taxes	(104,835)	(99,132)	(137,400)	(208,997)	(173,996)	(153,109)	(2,333)	(1,293)	(550,364)	(330,731)	(1,828)
Net income (loss)	(174,303)	(68,336)	(84,807)	(130,709)	(106,796)	(37,036)	(3,295)	(2,299)	(458,155)	(149,426)	(3,584)
Net loss attributable to Brookdale Senior Living Inc. common stockholders	$ (174,259)	$ (68,220)	$ (84,547)	$ (130,451)	$ (106,534)	$ (36,862)	$ (3,295)	$ (2,299)	$ (457,477)	$ (148,990)	$ (3,584)
Weighted average basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.94)	$ (0.37)	$ (0.46)	$ (0.71)	$ (0.58)	$ (0.23)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.02)	$ (2.48)	$ (1.01)	$ (0.03)