LEASES - NARRATIVE (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019 facility property	Oct. 01, 2019 USD ($)
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining lease term	16 years
Weighted average discount rate	8.10%
Annual future minimum lease payments, initial increase due to modifications | $		$ 77,627
Minimum | Ensign
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lease term		10 years
Maximum | Ensign
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lease term		21 years
Senior Living Services
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Number of properties under lease	52
Number of operating facilities	52
Senior Living Services | Minimum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lease term	5 years
Senior Living Services | Maximum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lease term	21 years
Senior Living Services | Related party
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Number of operating facilities | property	29
Number of properties under lease, master lease agreement	15
Senior Living Services | Related party | Minimum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lease term	14 years
Senior Living Services | Related party | Maximum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lease term	16 years