Disposal Group, Number Of Communities Disposed Of

No definition available.

Name:	bkd_DisposalGroupNumberOfCommunitiesDisposedOf
Namespace Prefix:	bkd_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number Of Communities Managed

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesManaged
Namespace Prefix:	bkd_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number Of Lease Portfolios

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bkd_NumberOfLeasePortfolios
Namespace Prefix:	bkd_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Operating Leases, Number Of Communities

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bkd_OperatingLeasesNumberOfCommunities
Namespace Prefix:	bkd_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Payments (Proceeds) For Lease Termination

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bkd_PaymentsProceedsForLeaseTermination
Namespace Prefix:	bkd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Potential Lease Terminations, Rent Credit Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bkd_PotentialLeaseTerminationsRentCreditPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	bkd_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate costs related to goods produced and sold and services rendered by an entity during the reporting period. This excludes costs incurred during the reporting period related to financial services rendered and other revenue generating activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2(a),(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114001798&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The difference between the carrying value and the sale price of equity securities, not separately or otherwise categorized as trading or available-for-sale. This element includes investments in which the entity holds a small ownership stake (generally, less than 20% of the shares outstanding) and cannot exert significant influence.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfEquityInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) on termination of lease before expiration of lease term.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 40
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77888415&loc=SL77918607-209975

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnTerminationOfLease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of rent expense incurred for leased assets, including but not limited to, furniture and equipment, that is not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Cash payments to lessor's for use of assets under operating leases.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 25
-Subparagraph (g)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3536-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsForRent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the sale of equity method investments, which are investments in joint ventures and entities in which the entity has an equity ownership interest normally of 20 to 50 percent and exercises significant influence.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfEquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, including tax collected from customer, of revenue from satisfaction of performance obligation by transferring promised good or service to customer. Tax collected from customer is tax assessed by governmental authority that is both imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transaction, including, but not limited to, sales, use, value-added and excise.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109196051&loc=SL49130539-203045

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109196051&loc=SL49130545-203045

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109196051&loc=SL49130543-203045

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=us-gaap_HealthCareResidentServiceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=us-gaap_RealEstateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=us-gaap_ManagementServiceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=bkd_A37CommunitiesDisposedOfThroughLeaseTerminationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=bkd_RetirementCentersMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=bkd_AssistedLivingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	bkd_ByTransactionNameAxis=bkd_WelltowerLeaseTransactionsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_CounterpartyNameAxis=bkd_WelltowerInc.Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	bkd_ByTransactionNameAxis=bkd_WelltowerLeaseTransactionsLeasePortfolioMaturingIn2028Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	bkd_ByTransactionNameAxis=bkd_WelltowerLeaseTransactionsLeasePortfolioMaturingIn2020Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=bkd_WelltowerRIDEAMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=bkd_A15CommunitiesManagedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Acquisitions, Dispositions and Other Significant Transactions - Welltower Lease and RIDA Venture Restructuring (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($) community	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($) lease_portfolio community	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments for lease termination			$ 10,548	$ 552
Loss on facility lease termination and modification	$ 146,467	$ 6,368	146,467	6,368
Base rent	81,960	84,690	162,360	173,497
Revenue	895,969	934,070	1,802,235	1,950,997
Cash lease payments	87,115	90,599	176,708	185,203
Resident fees
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue	895,969	934,070	1,802,235	1,950,997
Facility operating
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Costs of services	627,076	642,405	1,259,401	1,316,947
Management fees
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue	17,071	22,442	$ 35,752	38,336
37 Communities Disposed Of Through Lease Terminations
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of communities disposed of \| community			37
Cash lease payments	15,200	14,800	$ 30,400	29,600
37 Communities Disposed Of Through Lease Terminations \| Resident fees
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue	43,500	42,600	86,700	85,800
37 Communities Disposed Of Through Lease Terminations \| Facility operating
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Costs of services	26,800	26,200	54,100	51,800
Retirement Centers
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 159,293	162,248	$ 317,690	334,868
Retirement Centers \| 37 Communities Disposed Of Through Lease Terminations
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of communities leased \| community	8		8
Assisted Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 522,027	547,430	$ 1,054,307	1,137,967
Assisted Living \| 37 Communities Disposed Of Through Lease Terminations
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of communities leased \| community	29		29
Welltower Lease Transactions \| 37 Communities Disposed Of Through Lease Terminations
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Loss on facility lease termination and modification	$ 22,600		$ 22,600
Welltower Inc. \| Welltower Lease Transactions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of communities disposed of \| community			37
Number of lease portfolios \| lease_portfolio			2
Payments for lease termination			$ 58,000
Rent credit, potential future lease terminations			6.25%
Welltower Inc. \| Welltower Lease Transactions, Lease Portfolio Maturing In 2028
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of communities leased \| community	27		27
Welltower Inc. \| Welltower Lease Transactions, Lease Portfolio Maturing In 2020
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of communities leased \| community	10		10
Maximum \| Welltower Inc. \| Welltower Lease Transactions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Base rent			$ 5,000
Welltower RIDEA
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage ownership	20.00%		20.00%
Welltower RIDEA \| Welltower Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of equity method investment	$ 33,500
Gain on sale of equity method investment	14,700		$ 14,700
15 Communities Managed
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of communities managed \| community			15
15 Communities Managed \| Management fees
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 1,100	$ 1,100	$ 2,200	$ 2,200