REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Buildings and improvements	$ 704,277	$ 626,877
Fixtures and equipment	46,889	44,045
Land improvements	4,640	4,640
Land	108,319	91,731
Total Real Estate at Cost	864,125	767,293
Accumulated Depreciation	(131,071)	(108,916)
Total Real Estate Investments, Net	733,054	658,377
Operating Segments [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Properties	105	97
Number of Beds/Units	11,689	10,877
Total Real Estate at Cost	863,879	767,054
Accumulated Depreciation	(130,982)	(108,864)
Total Real Estate Investments, Net	732,897	658,190
Skilled Nursing/Post-Acute [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Properties	93	87
Number of Beds/Units	10,549	10,034
Total Real Estate at Cost	712,386	658,222
Accumulated Depreciation	(118,949)	(99,570)
Total Real Estate Investments, Net	593,437	558,652
Senior Housing [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Properties	11	9
Number of Beds/Units	1,070	773
Total Real Estate at Cost	89,853	47,192
Accumulated Depreciation	(9,494)	(8,140)
Total Real Estate Investments, Net	80,359	39,052
Acute Care Hospital [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Properties	1	1
Number of Beds/Units	70	70
Total Real Estate at Cost	61,640	61,640
Accumulated Depreciation	(2,539)	(1,154)
Total Real Estate Investments, Net	59,101	60,486
Corporate [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Total Real Estate at Cost	246	239
Accumulated Depreciation	(89)	(52)
Total Real Estate Investments, Net	$ 157	$ 187

Amount before accumulated depreciation of building structures held for productive use including addition, improvement, or renovation to the structure, including, but not limited to, interior masonry, interior flooring, electrical, and plumbing.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 12

-Paragraph 5

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (f)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361293&loc=d3e6812-107765

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BuildingsAndImprovementsGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Gross amount of fixtures and equipment as of the date of the statement of financial position. Fixtures may include and consist of: machinery, equipment, engines, boilers, incinerators, installed building materials; systems and equipment for the purpose of supplying or distributing heating, cooling, electricity, gas, water, air, or light; antennas, cable, wiring and conduits used in connection with radio, television, security, fire prevention, or fire detection or otherwise used to carry electronic signals; telephone systems and equipment; elevators and related machinery and equipment; fire detection, prevention and extinguishing systems and apparatus; security and access control systems and apparatus; plumbing systems; water heaters, ranges, stoves, microwave ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, garbage disposers, washers, dryers and other appliances; light fixtures, awnings, storm windows and storm doors; pictures, screens, blinds, shades, curtains and curtain rods; mirrors; cabinets, paneling, rugs and floor and wall coverings; fences, trees and plants; swimming pools; and such other items as defined by the reporting entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FixturesAndEquipmentGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of real estate held for productive use. This excludes land held for sale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361293&loc=d3e6812-107765

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Land
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents alterations to land which improves its potential for use. Generally consisting of items having limited lives, such as walkways, driveways, fences, and parking lots, such improvements are depreciated over the useful lives of the subject assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LandImprovements
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of units in a real estate property owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfUnitsInRealEstateProperty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cumulative amount of depreciation for real estate property held for investment purposes.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(3))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 7

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedDepreciation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of real estate investment property which may include the following: (1) land available-for-sale; (2) land available-for-development; (3) investments in building and building improvements; (4) tenant allowances; (5) developments in-process; (6) rental properties; and (7) other real estate investments.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of real estate investment property, net of accumulated depreciation, which may include the following: (1) land available-for-sale; (2) land available-for-development; (3) investments in building and building improvements; (4) tenant allowances; (5) developments in-process; (6) rental properties; and (7) other real estate investments.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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