CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ (404,636)	$ (458,155)	$ (149,426)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net	1,251	121	6,387
Depreciation and amortization, net	529,802	736,516	544,512
Asset impairment	248,515	57,941	9,992
Equity in (loss) earnings of unconsolidated ventures	(1,660)	804	(171)
Distributions from unconsolidated ventures from cumulative share of net earnings	23,544	7,825	1,840
Amortization of deferred gain	(4,372)	(4,372)	(4,372)
Amortization of entrance fee revenue	(4,195)	(3,204)	(21,220)
Proceeds from deferred entrance fee revenue	13,980	11,113	32,704
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	3,248	(95,261)	(182,371)
Change in deferred lease liability	767	6,956	1,439
Change in fair value of derivatives	178	797	2,711
Gain on sale of assets	(7,218)	(1,270)	(446)
Change in future service obligation	0	(941)	670
Non-cash stock-based compensation	32,285	31,651	28,299
Non-cash interest expense on financing lease obligations	26,496	23,472	12,647
Amortization of (above) below market lease, net	(6,864)	(7,158)	(3,444)
Other	(9,137)	(3,157)	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	1,581	5,608	3,510
Prepaid expenses and other assets, net	2,954	51,079	(52,868)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(83,248)	(60,564)	16,812
Tenant refundable fees and security deposits	(839)	(524)	(1,183)
Deferred revenue	3,300	(6,911)	(3,370)
Net cash provided by operating activities	365,732	292,366	242,652
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
(Increase) decrease in lease security deposits and lease acquisition deposits, net	(2,225)	10,866	(48,944)
(Increase) decrease in cash and escrow deposits - restricted	5,027	29,286	56,935
Additions to property, plant and equipment, and leasehold intangibles	(333,647)	(411,051)	(304,245)
Acquisition of assets, net of related payables	(12,157)	(191,216)	(40,441)
Acquisition of Emeritus Corporation, cash acquired	0	0	28,429
Investment in unconsolidated ventures	(13,377)	(69,297)	(26,499)
Distributions received from unconsolidated ventures	218,973	9,054	12,275
Proceeds from sale of assets, net	297,932	49,226	4,339
Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Investing Activities	9,137	3,157	0
Other	7,162	998	3,269
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	176,825	(568,977)	(314,882)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from debt	387,348	585,650	326,639
Repayment of debt and capital and financing lease obligations	(469,309)	(485,762)	(584,345)
Proceeds from line of credit	1,276,500	1,175,000	442,000
Repayment of line of credit	(1,586,500)	(965,000)	(372,000)
Proceeds from public equity offering, net	0	0	330,386
Payment of financing costs, net of related payables	(2,938)	(32,622)	(9,393)
Refundable entrance fees:
Proceeds from refundable entrance fees	3,083	1,939	20,342
Refunds of entrance fees	(3,984)	(4,411)	(25,865)
Cash portion of loss on extinguishment of debt	0	(44)	(4,101)
Payment on lease termination	(9,250)	(17,000)	(7,750)
Purchase of treasury stock	(9,640)	0	0
Other	501	2,807	1,889
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(414,189)	260,557	117,802
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	128,368	(16,054)	45,572
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	88,029	104,083	58,511
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 216,397	$ 88,029	$ 104,083