VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Tax credits, valuation allowance	$ 32,100		$ 1,800
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Valuation and qualifying accounts [Roll forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	26,501		17,728		$ 15,262
Acquisition of Emeritus	0		11,087		0
Charged to costs and expenses	25,132		20,509		21,048
Charged to other accounts	2,135		771		444
Deductions	(27,298)		(23,594)		(19,026)
Balance at End of Period	26,470		26,501		17,728		$ 15,262
Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance [Member]
Valuation and qualifying accounts [Roll forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	9,213		72,366		65,269
Acquisition of Emeritus	0		1,002		0
Charged to costs and expenses	111,797	[1]	0		7,272	[2]
Charged to other accounts	592	[1]	0		(175)	[3]
Deductions	0		(64,155)	[4]	0
Balance at End of Period	$ 121,602		9,213		72,366		65,269
State [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Change in Amount					(64,155)		(175)
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Tax credits, valuation allowance					0
Federal net operating losses [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Change in Amount			0		0		(4,851)	[2]
Federal credits [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Change in Amount			$ 0		$ 0		$ 12,123

[1] Adjustment to valuation allowance for federal and state net operating losses and federal credits of $81,968 and $30,421, respectively

[2] Adjustment to valuation allowance for federal net operating losses and federal credits of $(4,851) and $12,123, respectively.

[3] Adjustment to valuation allowance for state net operating losses of $(175).

[4] Adjustment to reverse valuation allowance for federal and state net operating losses of $(64,155).