Business - Spin-Off Transaction (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 state property	Oct. 31, 2016 property	Dec. 31, 2015 property	Dec. 31, 2014 property
Federal corporate income taxes exempt, minimum percentage of REIT taxable income distribution	100.00%
Stand-alone basis
Number of properties	327
Number of states | state	30
Post acute/skilled nursing properties | Stand-alone basis
Number of properties	264
Memory care/assisted living properties | Stand-alone basis
Number of properties	61
Surgical hospital | Stand-alone basis
Number of properties	1	1
Medical office building
Number of properties				1
Medical office building | Stand-alone basis
Number of properties	1	1
HCRMC Properties
Number of properties				1
HCRMC Master Lease | HCRMC Properties | HCR ManorCare, Inc. | Stand-alone basis
Number of properties	299
Non-HCRMC Properties
Number of properties	28		28
QCP Business | Spin-Off | Post acute/skilled nursing properties
Number of properties		274
QCP Business | Spin-Off | Memory care/assisted living properties
Number of properties		62
Held for sale.
Number of properties		18