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The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to building and improvements to be used in the normal course of business.

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The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to an identifiable intangible asset.

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The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to land to be used in the normal course of business.

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The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to other liabilities of the acquired entity.

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The amount of restricted cash acquired in a business combination.

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Pretax gain (loss), not previously recognized and resulting from the consolidation of joint venture interest, which is recognized at the date of consolidation. A gain (loss) reflects the amount by which the consideration paid exceeds (is exceeded by) the net carrying amount (reflecting previous provisions for loss on consolidation, if any) of the joint venture interest, which, for cash flow reporting, is a component of proceeds from investing activities.

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Number of senior housing facilities owned by a joint venture.

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Amount of cash paid to acquire the entity.

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Amount of direct costs of the business combination including legal, accounting, and other costs incurred to consummate the business acquisition.

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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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Percentage of voting equity interests acquired in the business combination.

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The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to assets acquired.

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The total purchase price of the acquired entity. This includes cash paid to equity interest holders of the acquired entity, fair value of debt and equity securities issued to equity holders of the acquired entity, and transaction costs paid to third parties to consummate the acquisition.

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The amount of cash and cash equivalents acquired in a business combination.

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The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to liabilities assumed.

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The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to notes payables and long-term debt assumed from the acquired entity.

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The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

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Total investments in (A) an entity in which the entity has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method, and (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. Includes long-term advances receivable from a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.

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Total investments in (A) an entity in which the company has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method. Investments in an entity that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership, (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group, and (D) an entity in which the company has significant influence, but does not have control.

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Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jan. 31, 2011 HCP Ventures II	Jan. 14, 2011 HCP Ventures II Facility
Acquisition
Percentage of interest acquired					65.00%
Number of senior housing facilities					25
Investment ownership percentage					35.00%
Calculation of the HCP Ventures II purchase consideration and total purchase price
Cash paid for HCP Ventures II's partnership interest	$ 113,830		$ 158,795		$ 135,550
Fair value of HCP's 35% interest in HCP Ventures II (carrying value of $65,223 at closing)					72,992
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	225,979	195,847			65,223
Total purchase consideration					208,542
Estimated fees and costs
Legal, accounting and other fees and costs					150
Debt assumption fees					500
Total estimated fees and costs					650
Gain on consolidation of joint venture	7,769			8,000
Assets acquired
Buildings and improvements					683,033
Land					80,180
Cash					2,585
Restricted cash					1,861
Intangible assets					78,293
Total assets acquired					845,952
Liabilities assumed
Mortgage debt	635,182		9,267		635,182
Other liabilities					2,228
Total liabilities assumed					637,410
Net assets acquired					$ 208,542