Name:	hcp_CommitmentsAndContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_ConcentrationRiskOperatingExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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 number of senior housing development included in the joint venture.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The number of senior housing communities, which are assumed in current triple-net lease included in the joint venture.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The number of senior housing communities, which are assumed managed by third party in the joint venture.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The number of senior housing communities, which are leased in new triple-net lease included in the joint venture.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents the number of senior housing facilities owned by the entity and operated by the joint venture.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- 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

Represents the percentage of interest held by the entity in the real estate and operations of senior living communities under a joint venture agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The carrying value of facilities owned by the entity that are collateral for third party debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_ThirdPartyDebtCollateralizedByFacilitiesAssetCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of debt owed by a third party for which the entity's facilities are collateral.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash outflow to acquire equity securities classified as available-for-sale securities, because they are not classified as trading securities.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 15

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 17

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 11

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6871852&loc=d3e26853-111562

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 18

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 item	Sep. 30, 2012 item	Sep. 01, 2011 item
Commitments and contingencies
Number of senior living communities operated in a RIDEA structure		21	21
Third party debt collateralized by facilities, debt amount (maturing in May 1, 2025)			$ 119
Third party debt collateralized by facilities, asset carrying amount (maturing in May 1, 2025)		374	374
Brookdale Senior Living
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	21
Purchase of equity marketable securities	22.4
Concentration risk, revenue		36.1	106.8
Concentration risk, operating expenses		$ 24.1	$ 67.5