Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 760,420,000		$ 755,113,000
Dispositions and Other Reductions	(49,637,000)		(49,637,000)
Net	710,783,000		705,476,000
Goodwill impairment	0
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	111,195,000		111,195,000
Accumulated Amortization	(29,081,000)		(28,188,000)
Net	82,114,000		83,007,000
Amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets	900,000	$ 2,900,000
Retirement Centers [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	28,141,000		28,141,000
Dispositions and Other Reductions	(820,000)		(820,000)
Net	27,321,000		27,321,000
Assisted Living [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	605,469,000		600,162,000
Dispositions and Other Reductions	(48,817,000)		(48,817,000)
Net	556,652,000		551,345,000
Brookdale Ancillary Services [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	126,810,000		126,810,000
Dispositions and Other Reductions	0		0
Net	126,810,000		126,810,000
Community Purchase Options [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	4,738,000		4,738,000
Accumulated Amortization	0		0
Net	4,738,000		4,738,000
Health Care Licenses [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	65,126,000		65,126,000
Accumulated Amortization	0		0
Net	65,126,000		65,126,000
Tradenames [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	27,800,000		27,800,000
Accumulated Amortization	(21,780,000)		(21,135,000)
Net	6,020,000		6,665,000
Management Contracts [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	13,531,000		13,531,000
Accumulated Amortization	(7,301,000)		(7,053,000)
Net	$ 6,230,000		$ 6,478,000