Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 986,638	$ 1,008,949	$ 1,019,457	$ 1,042,044	$ 1,068,930	$ 1,120,062	$ 1,155,200	$ 1,187,234
Goodwill and asset impairment	43,012	2,094	3,769	391	37,927	5,500	16,103	430,363	$ 49,266	$ 489,893	$ 409,782
Loss (gain) on facility lease termination and modification, net	1,382	0	1,797	209	13,197	2,337	146,467	0	(3,388)	(162,001)	(14,276)
Income (loss) from operations	(43,148)	(20,222)	2,211	16,661	(46,455)	3,626	(137,589)	(413,831)	(44,498)	(594,249)	(270,045)
Gain (loss) on sale of assets, net	4,522	579	2,846	(702)	216,660	9,833	23,322	43,431	7,245	293,246	19,273
Income (loss) before income taxes	(93,104)	(80,308)	(55,422)	(41,927)	99,799	(54,903)	(181,055)	(441,649)	(270,761)	(577,808)	(588,121)
Net income (loss)	(91,323)	(78,508)	(56,055)	(42,606)	131,531	(37,140)	(165,509)	(457,234)	(268,492)	(528,352)	(571,606)
Net income (loss) attributable to Brookdale Senior Living Inc. common stockholders	$ (91,408)	$ (78,458)	$ (55,470)	$ (42,595)	$ 131,539	$ (37,121)	$ (165,488)	$ (457,188)	$ (267,931)	$ (528,258)	$ (571,419)
Weighted average basic and diluted income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.49)	$ (0.42)	$ (0.30)	$ (0.23)	$ 0.70	$ (0.20)	$ (0.88)	$ (2.45)	$ (1.44)	$ (2.82)	$ (3.07)