Represents the operator assets expressed as a percentage of segment assets.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_ConcentrationOfRiskOperatorAssetsAsPercentageOfSegmentAssets
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the operator assets expressed as a percentage of total assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_ConcentrationOfRiskOperatorAssetsAsPercentageOfTotalAssets
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the operator revenues expressed as a percentage of segment revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_ConcentrationOfRiskOperatorRevenuesAsPercentageOfSegmentRevenues
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the operator revenues expressed as a percentage of total revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_ConcentrationOfRiskOperatorsRevenuesAsPercentageOfTotalRevenues
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the percentage of assets, excluding assets held for sale, that are located in one state.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_ConcentrationRiskAssetsNotHeldForSaleStatePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For an entity that discloses a concentration risk in relation to quantitative amount, which serves as the "benchmark" (or denominator) in the equation, this concept represents the concentration percentage derived from the division for revenue items.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_ConcentrationRiskPercentageRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

For an entity that discloses a concentration risk, this concept represents the revenue from the type of concentration risk.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_ConcentrationRiskRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The charges against both continuing and discontinued operations resulting from the aggregate write down of all assets from their carrying value to their fair value.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationAssetImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the number of facilities formerly managed by a senior housing operator that were transitioned to new operators.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_FacilitiesFormerlyManagedBySeniorHousingOperator
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the number of facilities formerly managed by a senior housing operator that required intangible impairment upon transition to new operators.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_FacilitiesFormerlyManagedBySeniorHousingOperatorImpaired
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of facilities leased directly to the senior housing operator.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_FacilitiesLeasedDirectlyToSeniorHousingOperatorNumber
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the number of facilities managed by the senior housing operator after the transition of facilities to new operators.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_FacilitiesManagedBySeniorHousingOperatorAfterTransitionNumber
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of senior living communities operated in RIDEA structure in which the entity has interest under a joint venture agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_InvestmentsInJointVenturesSeniorLivingCommunitiesOperatedInRIDEAStructureNumber
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of properties leased by the entity to tenants that have been identified as a VIE.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_PropertiesLeasedNumber
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of tenants of properties leased by entity for which the tenant is considered a VIE tenant.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_VIETenantsNumber
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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

- Definition

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 275

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 20

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6927468&loc=d3e6404-108592

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 21

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13537-108611

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 20

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13531-108611

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 275

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 18

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6927468&loc=d3e6351-108592

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended											12 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 Property	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010 tenant Property	Dec. 31, 2011 Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.	Sep. 30, 2011 Sunrise Property	Dec. 31, 2011 Sunrise Property	Dec. 31, 2009 Senior housing Property	Dec. 31, 2011 Senior housing Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. Property	Oct. 31, 2009 Sunrise Property	Jun. 30, 2009 Sunrise Property	Dec. 31, 2011 Gross Assets Operators HCR ManorCare, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2010 Gross Assets Operators HCR ManorCare, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2011 Gross Assets Operators Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2010 Gross Assets Operators Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2011 Gross Assets Operators Emeritus	Dec. 31, 2010 Gross Assets Operators Emeritus	Dec. 31, 2011 Gross Assets Operators Sunrise	Dec. 31, 2010 Gross Assets Operators Sunrise	Dec. 31, 2011 Gross Assets Operators Senior housing HCR ManorCare, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2011 Gross Assets Operators Senior housing Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2010 Gross Assets Operators Senior housing Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2011 Gross Assets Operators Senior housing Emeritus	Dec. 31, 2010 Gross Assets Operators Senior housing Emeritus	Dec. 31, 2011 Gross Assets Operators Senior housing Sunrise	Dec. 31, 2010 Gross Assets Operators Senior housing Sunrise	Dec. 31, 2011 Gross Assets Operators Post-acute/skilled nursing HCR ManorCare, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2010 Gross Assets Operators Post-acute/skilled nursing HCR ManorCare, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2011 Revenue Operators HCR ManorCare, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2010 Revenue Operators HCR ManorCare, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2009 Revenue Operators HCR ManorCare, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2011 Revenue Operators Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2010 Revenue Operators Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2009 Revenue Operators Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2011 Revenue Operators Emeritus	Dec. 31, 2010 Revenue Operators Emeritus	Dec. 31, 2009 Revenue Operators Emeritus	Dec. 31, 2011 Revenue Operators Sunrise	Dec. 31, 2010 Revenue Operators Sunrise	Dec. 31, 2009 Revenue Operators Sunrise	Dec. 31, 2011 Revenue Operators Senior housing HCR ManorCare, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2011 Revenue Operators Senior housing Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2010 Revenue Operators Senior housing Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2009 Revenue Operators Senior housing Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2011 Revenue Operators Senior housing Emeritus	Dec. 31, 2010 Revenue Operators Senior housing Emeritus	Dec. 31, 2009 Revenue Operators Senior housing Emeritus	Dec. 31, 2011 Revenue Operators Senior housing Sunrise	Dec. 31, 2010 Revenue Operators Senior housing Sunrise	Dec. 31, 2009 Revenue Operators Senior housing Sunrise	Dec. 31, 2011 Revenue Operators Post-acute/skilled nursing HCR ManorCare, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2010 Revenue Operators Post-acute/skilled nursing HCR ManorCare, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2009 Revenue Operators Post-acute/skilled nursing HCR ManorCare, Inc.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Concentration risk, asset percentage (as a percent)												35.00%	12.00%	5.00%	5.00%	6.00%	8.00%	7.00%	10.00%	14.00%	16.00%	16.00%	18.00%	26.00%	22.00%	30.00%	94.00%	75.00%
Concentration risk, revenue percentage (as a percent)																													27.00%	9.00%	7.00%	7.00%	5.00%	6.00%	7.00%	6.00%	5.00%	6.00%	9.00%	11.00%	10.00%	24.00%	18.00%	20.00%	23.00%	19.00%	16.00%	18.00%	29.00%	38.00%	83.00%	71.00%	51.00%
Facilities leased directly to Sunrise, number						2
Number of facilities formerly managed by Sunrise								15		15
Number of properties managed by Sunrise after the transition to new operators										75
Company's gross real estate assets in California, excluding assets held for sale, as a percentage of total assets		23.00%	26.00%
Impairments recognized for intangible assets	$ 75.5							$ 5.9			$ 6.0
Number of facilities formerly managed by Sunrise that were impaired								12			12
Concentration risk, revenue					$ 47.1		$ 32.6
Number of senior living communities operating in a RIDEA structure		21					27		21
Operator revenues as a percentage of segment revenues							37.00%																																			33.00%
Operator revenues as a percentage of total revenues							11.00%																																			10.00%
Operator assets as a percentage of segment assets																					27.00%
Operator assets as a percentage of total assets																					9.00%
Properties Leased, Number				27
VIE Tenants, Number				4