Property, Plant and Equipment and Leasehold Intangibles, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles gross	$ 9,318,160		$ 9,318,160		$ 10,264,151
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(2,894,319)		(2,894,319)		(2,884,846)
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles, net	6,423,841		6,423,841		7,379,305
Asset impairment, non-cash charge	1,559	$ 4,152	22,265	$ 7,527
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles gross	451,875		451,875		455,307
Buildings and Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles gross	5,058,293		5,058,293		5,053,204
Asset impairment, non-cash charge	1,600		2,600
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles gross	119,874		119,874		126,325
Furniture and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles gross	982,846		982,846		974,516
Resident and Leasehold Operating Intangibles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles gross	611,908		611,908		705,000
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles gross	52,399		52,399		69,803
Assets Under Capital and Financing Leases [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles gross	$ 2,040,965		$ 2,040,965		$ 2,879,996