Note receivable received as consideration.

No definition available.

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

- Definition

Short-term receivable received as consideration.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Effective offset for net consideration paid by reporting entity for lease restructurings.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Gain based on fair value of net consideration received for lease terminations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents the amount of investment in strategic joint venture.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents the ownership percentage in joint venture.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Definition

Charges related to lease termination write-offs.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents the number of facilities for which existing lease agreement is terminated.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents the number of properties with cancelled purchase options that will be cancelled on termination of existing lease agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents costs incurred by the lessor that are (a) costs to originate a lease incurred in transactions with independent third parties that (i) result directly from and are essential to acquire that lease and (ii) would not have been incurred had that leasing transaction not occurred and (b) certain costs directly related to specified activities performed by the lessor for that lease. Those activities are: evaluating the prospective lessee's financial condition; evaluating and recording guarantees, collateral, and other security arrangements; negotiating lease terms; preparing and processing lease documents; and closing the transaction. This element is net of accumulated amortization.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 20

-Section 25

-Paragraph 17

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6748888&loc=d3e40246-112709

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 20

-Section 35

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453741&loc=d3e40879-112712

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 20

-Section 25

-Paragraph 16

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6748888&loc=d3e40588-112709

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCostsLeasingNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cumulative difference between the rental payments required by a lease agreement and the rental income or expense recognized on a straight-line basis, or other systematic and rational basis more representative of the time pattern in which use or benefit is granted or derived from the leased property, expected to be recognized in income or expense over the term of the leased property, by the lessor or lessee, respectively. Such receivable is reduced by allowances attributable to, for instance, credit risk associated with a lessee.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.8)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 20

-Section 35

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453741&loc=d3e40879-112712

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 20

-Section 25

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7501430&loc=d3e39927-112707

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 20

-Section 25

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7501430&loc=d3e39896-112707

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Gain (loss) related to the termination of a contract between the parties. The termination may be due to many causes including early termination of a lease by a lessee, a breach of contract by one party, or a failure to perform.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

+ Details

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

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=hcp_RIDEAJVMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Period Type:

Lease Amendments and Terminations and RIDEA Joint Ventures (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 29, 2014 property	Dec. 31, 2013
Lease Amendments And Terminations And Joint Venture Formations [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (as a percent)	49.00%hcp_JointVentureOwnershipPercentage
Initial direct costs and lease inducements	$ 146,500,000us-gaap_DeferredCostsLeasingNet		$ 104,601,000us-gaap_DeferredCostsLeasingNet
Straight-line rent receivable for former scheduled rent increases	355,864,000us-gaap_DeferredRentReceivablesNet		368,919,000us-gaap_DeferredRentReceivablesNet
Net Gain Recognized on Lease Terminations
Net gain on contract termination	38,001,000us-gaap_GainLossOnContractTermination
RIDEA JV
Net Gain Recognized on Lease Terminations
Net gain on contract termination	38,000,000
Gain based on fair value of net consideration received for lease terminations	108,000,000
Charges related to lease termination write-offs	70,000,000
Brookdale Senior Living
Lease Amendments And Terminations And Joint Venture Formations [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (as a percent)	20.00%
Brookdale Senior Living \| RIDEA JV
Lease Amendments And Terminations And Joint Venture Formations [Line Items]
Number of facilities for which existing lease agreement is terminated		49
Number of properties with purchase options that will be cancelled on termination		19
Lease Terminations Considerations Received Abstract
Investment in strategic joint venture		47,000,000
Consideration received - Short-term receivable		34,000,000
Consideration received - Note receivable		68,000,000
Effective offset for net consideration paid		$ 53,000,000