Commitments and Contingencies (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012 Brookdale Senior Living	Dec. 31, 2011 Brookdale Senior Living	Dec. 31, 2010 Brookdale Senior Living	Sep. 02, 2011 Brookdale Senior Living item
Commitments and contingencies
Number of senior housing communities						37
Number of senior housing communities assumed in existing triple-net lease						9
Number of senior housing communities in new triple-net lease						4
Number of senior housing communities assumed formerly managed by Horizon Bay						3
Number of senior housing communities developed by HCP						1
Interest in real estate and operations of senior living communities (as a percent)						10.00%
Number of senior living communities operated in a RIDEA structure						21
Purchase of equity marketable securities	$ 22.4
Concentration risk, revenue			143	47
Concentration risk, operating expenses			91	30
Concentration risk, increase in revenue					29
Concentration risk, increase in operating expenses					26
Third party debt collateralized by facilities, debt amount (maturing in May 1, 2025)		117
Third party debt collateralized by facilities, asset carrying amount (maturing in May 1, 2025)		$ 374