Property, Plant and Equipment and Leasehold Intangibles, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles gross	$ 9,309,860		$ 10,264,151
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(2,797,681)		(2,884,846)
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles, net	6,512,179		7,379,305
Asset impairment, non-cash charge	20,706	$ 3,375
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles gross	451,875		455,307
Buildings and Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles gross	5,031,711		5,053,204
Asset impairment, non-cash charge	1,000
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles gross	123,541		126,325
Furniture and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles gross	978,654		974,516
Resident and Leasehold Operating Intangibles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles gross	615,128		705,000
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles gross	69,215		69,803
Assets Under Capital and Financing Leases [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles gross	$ 2,039,736		$ 2,879,996