Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Community Lease	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Initial lease terms, minimum	10 years
Initial lease terms, maximum	20 years
Renewal options, minimum	5 years
Renewal options, maximum	30 years
Number of communities operated under long-term leases | Community	539
Number of operating leases | Lease	315
Number of capital and financing leases | Lease	224
Remaining base lease terms, minimum	1 year
Remaining base lease terms, maximum	16 years
Schedule of facility operating lease expense [Abstract]
Cash basis payment	$ 384,104	$ 372,148	$ 330,207
Straight-line (income) expense	767	6,956	1,439
Amortization of (above) below market rent, net	(6,864)	(7,158)	(3,444)
Amortization of deferred gain	(4,372)	(4,372)	(4,372)
Facility lease expense	373,635	$ 367,574	$ 323,830
Future minimum operating lease payments [Abstract]
2016	387,521
2017	377,521
2018	359,282
2019	317,654
2020	279,040
Thereafter	1,222,392
Total	$ 2,943,410