Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 1,165,890	$ 1,177,988	$ 1,186,472	$ 1,216,766	$ 1,208,868	$ 1,246,126	$ 1,258,830	$ 1,263,156	$ 4,747,116	$ 4,976,980	$ 4,960,608
Goodwill and asset impairment	18,966	368,551	1,559	20,706	221,877	19,111	4,152	3,375	409,782	248,515	57,941
Income (loss) from operations	2,625	(350,970)	30,174	48,126	(178,369)	47,645	58,287	41,354	(270,045)	(31,083)	(165,206)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(51,569)	(445,147)	(49,072)	(42,333)	(269,169)	(47,569)	(35,368)	(47,152)	(588,121)	(399,258)	(550,364)
Net income (loss)	15,021	(413,929)	(46,337)	(126,361)	(268,600)	(51,728)	(35,491)	(48,817)	(571,606)	(404,636)	(458,155)
Net income (loss) attributable to Brookdale Senior Living Inc. common stockholders	$ 15,057	$ (413,885)	$ (46,287)	$ (126,304)	$ (268,487)	$ (51,685)	$ (35,450)	$ (48,775)	$ (571,419)	$ (404,397)	$ (457,477)
Weighted average basic and diluted income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.08	$ (2.22)	$ (0.25)	$ (0.68)	$ (1.45)	$ (0.28)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.26)	$ (3.07)	$ (2.18)	$ (2.48)