SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information
Resident fees and services	$ 341,594	$ 303,437	$ 680,764	$ 588,630
Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	266,807	941,984	364,365	983,777
Triple-Net Leased Properties
Segment Reporting Information
Resident fees and services			0	0
Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	31,824	9,017	45,004	13,880
Senior Living Operations
Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	224,921	331,665	245,089	348,831
MOB Operations
Segment Reporting Information
Resident fees and services			0	0
Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	$ 10,062	$ 601,302	$ 74,272	$ 621,066