CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ (458,155)	$ (149,426)	$ (3,584)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net	121	6,387	1,265
Depreciation and amortization, net	736,516	544,512	285,811
Asset impairment	57,941	9,992	12,891
Equity in loss (earnings) of unconsolidated ventures	804	(171)	(1,484)
Distributions from unconsolidated ventures from cumulative share of net earnings	7,825	1,840	2,691
Amortization of deferred gain	(4,372)	(4,372)	(4,372)
Amortization of entrance fees	(3,204)	(21,220)	(29,009)
Proceeds from deferred entrance fee revenue	11,113	32,704	44,191
Deferred income tax benefit	(95,261)	(182,371)	(183)
Change in deferred lease liability	6,956	1,439	2,597
Change in fair value of derivatives	797	2,711	(980)
(Gain) on sale of assets	(1,270)	(446)	(972)
Change in future service obligation	(941)	670	(1,917)
Non-cash stock-based compensation	31,651	28,299	25,978
Non-cash interest expense on financing leases	23,472	12,647	0
Amortization of (above) below market rents, net	(7,158)	(3,444)	0
Other	(3,157)	0	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	5,608	3,510	(5,449)
Prepaid expenses and other assets, net	51,079	(52,868)	7,483
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(60,564)	16,812	33,837
Tenant refundable fees and security deposits	(524)	(1,183)	(792)
Deferred revenue	(6,911)	(3,370)	(1,881)
Net cash provided by operating activities	292,366	242,652	366,121
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Decrease (increase) in lease security deposits and lease acquisition deposits, net	10,866	(48,944)	(2,051)
Decrease in cash and escrow deposits - restricted	29,286	56,935	10,726
Additions to property, plant and equipment, and leasehold intangibles	(411,051)	(304,245)	(257,527)
Acquisition of assets, net of related payables and cash received	(191,216)	(40,441)	(34,686)
Acquisition of Emeritus Corporation, cash acquired	0	28,429	0
Investment in unconsolidated ventures	(69,297)	(26,499)	(17,172)
Distributions received from unconsolidated ventures	9,054	12,275	1,600
Proceeds from sale of assets, net	49,226	4,339	34,136
Other	4,155	3,269	168
Net cash used in investing activities	(568,977)	(314,882)	(264,806)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from debt	585,650	326,639	662,934
Repayment of debt and capital and financing lease obligations	(485,762)	(584,345)	(724,133)
Proceeds from line of credit	1,175,000	442,000	425,000
Repayment of line of credit	(965,000)	(372,000)	(475,000)
Proceeds from public equity offering, net	0	330,386	0
Payment of financing costs, net of related payables	(32,622)	(9,393)	(11,576)
Refundable entrance fees:
Proceeds from refundable entrance fees	1,939	20,342	48,140
Refunds of entrance fees	(4,411)	(25,865)	(35,325)
Cash portion of loss on extinguishment of debt	(44)	(4,101)	(502)
Payment on lease termination	(17,000)	(7,750)	0
Other	2,807	1,889	(1,582)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	260,557	117,802	(112,044)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(16,054)	45,572	(10,729)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	104,083	58,511	69,240
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 88,029	$ 104,083	$ 58,511