CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK (Details)				6 Months Ended						3 Months Ended						3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013 state province	Jun. 30, 2013 Seniors housing communities property	Jun. 30, 2013 Atria and Sunrise [Member] Seniors housing communities property	Jun. 30, 2013 Total gross book value of properties Seniors housing communities	Jun. 30, 2013 Total gross book value of properties Skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, MOBs and other healthcare assets	Jun. 30, 2013 Total gross book value of properties ATRIA	Jun. 30, 2013 Total gross book value of properties SUNRISE	Jun. 30, 2013 Total gross book value of properties Brookdale Senior Living	Jun. 30, 2013 Total gross book value of properties Kindred	Jun. 30, 2013 Total revenues state	Jun. 30, 2013 Total revenues Brookdale Senior Living	Jun. 30, 2012 Total revenues Brookdale Senior Living	Jun. 30, 2013 Total revenues Kindred	Jun. 30, 2012 Total revenues Kindred	Jun. 30, 2013 Total NOI state	Jun. 30, 2013 Total NOI Brookdale Senior Living	Jun. 30, 2012 Total NOI Brookdale Senior Living	Jun. 30, 2013 Total NOI Kindred	Jun. 30, 2012 Total NOI Kindred	Jun. 30, 2013 ATRIA	Dec. 31, 2012 ATRIA
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of real estate investments based on gross book value				62.00%	38.00%	19.00%	14.60%	10.30%	3.50%
Number of states accounting for more than 10% of total revenues										2
Number of states accounting for more than 10% of net operating income															1
Percentage of total revenues derived by third party											5.70%	6.40%	8.20%	10.50%
Percentage of net operating income derived from lease agreements																9.50%	10.60%	13.60%	17.30%
Ownership interests accounted for under the equity method (as a percent)																				34.00%	34.00%
Real estate properties
Number of seniors housing communities under long-term management agreements		229	227
Number of states	46
Number of Canadian provinces	2