Facility Operating Leases (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) lease	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of communities operated under long-term leases | lease	434
Number of operating leases | lease	290
Number of capital and financing leases | lease	144
Schedule of facility operating lease expense [Abstract]
Cash basis payment	$ 89,593	$ 94,604
Straight-line (income) expense	(6,165)	(3,007)
Amortization of (above) below market lease, net	(1,938)	(1,697)
Amortization of deferred gain	(1,090)	(1,093)
Facility lease expense	$ 80,400	$ 88,807