Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 746,765		$ 746,765		$ 746,765
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	(49,637)		(49,637)		(21,069)
Net	697,128		697,128		725,696
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	140,913		140,913		148,213
Accumulated Amortization	(25,779)		(25,779)		(19,027)
Net	115,134		115,134		129,186
Amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets	3,900	$ 3,000	6,800	$ 6,100
Retirement Centers [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	28,141		28,141		28,141
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	(820)		(820)		(721)
Net	27,321		27,321		27,420
Disposal Group, Goodwill	100		100
Assisted Living [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	591,814		591,814		591,814
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	(48,817)		(48,817)		(20,348)
Net	542,997		542,997		571,466
Disposal Group, Goodwill	28,500		28,500
Brookdale Ancillary Services [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	126,810		126,810		126,810
Accumulated Impairment and Other Charges	0		0		0
Net	126,810		126,810		126,810
Community Purchase Options [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	32,970		32,970		40,270
Accumulated Amortization	0		0		0
Net	32,970		32,970		40,270
Health Care Licenses [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	66,612		66,612		66,612
Accumulated Amortization	0		0		0
Net	66,612		66,612		66,612
Tradenames [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	27,800		27,800		27,800
Accumulated Amortization	(19,224)		(19,224)		(14,209)
Net	8,576		8,576		13,591
Other [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	13,531		13,531		13,531
Accumulated Amortization	(6,555)		(6,555)		(4,818)
Net	$ 6,976		$ 6,976		$ 8,713