Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of changes in the carrying amount of goodwill

The following is a summary of the carrying amount of goodwill presented on an operating segment basis.

	December 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Dispositions and Other Reductions			Accumulated Impairment			Net
Retirement Centers	$	28,141	$	(820	)	$	—		$	27,321
Assisted Living	605,469		(48,817		)	(205,000		)	351,652
Brookdale Ancillary Services	126,810		—			—			126,810
Total	$	760,420	$	(49,637	)	$	(205,000	)	$	505,783

	December 31, 2016
(in thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Dispositions and Other Reductions			Accumulated Impairment		Net
Retirement Centers	$	28,141	$	(820	)	$	—	$	27,321
Assisted Living	600,162		(48,817		)	—		551,345
Brookdale Ancillary Services	126,810		—			—		126,810
Total	$	755,113	$	(49,637	)	$	—	$	705,476

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets

Amortization of the Company's definite-lived intangible assets is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are as follows:

Asset Category	Estimated Useful Life (in years)
Trade names	2 – 5
Other	3 – 9

The following is a summary of other intangible assets.

	December 31, 2017							December 31, 2016
(in thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Community purchase options	$	9,533	$	—		$	9,533	$	4,738	$	—		$	4,738
Health care licenses	50,927		—			50,927		65,126		—			65,126
Trade names	27,800		(23,714		)	4,086		27,800		(21,135		)	6,665
Management contracts	11,360		(7,929		)	3,431		13,531		(7,053		)	6,478
Total	$	99,620	$	(31,643	)	$	67,977	$	111,195	$	(28,188	)	$	83,007

Schedule of Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets

The following is a summary of other intangible assets.

	December 31, 2017							December 31, 2016
(in thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Community purchase options	$	9,533	$	—		$	9,533	$	4,738	$	—		$	4,738
Health care licenses	50,927		—			50,927		65,126		—			65,126
Trade names	27,800		(23,714		)	4,086		27,800		(21,135		)	6,665
Management contracts	11,360		(7,929		)	3,431		13,531		(7,053		)	6,478
Total	$	99,620	$	(31,643	)	$	67,977	$	111,195	$	(28,188	)	$	83,007

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense

Future amortization expense for intangible assets with definite lives is estimated to be as follows (in thousands):

Year Ending December 31,	Future Amortization
2018	$	3,180
2019	2,101
2020	596
2021	596
2022	596
Thereafter	448
Total	$	7,517