Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures - Combined Financial Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Summarized combined financial information for unconsolidated joint ventures:
Real estate, net	$ 5,230,958,000		$ 5,134,587,000
Goodwill and other assets, net	5,048,919,000		4,986,310,000
Total assets	10,279,877,000		10,120,897,000
Capital lease obligations and mortgage debt	7,218,361,000		7,197,940,000
Accounts payable	1,093,859,000		1,015,912,000
Other partners' capital	1,316,030,000		1,281,413,000
HCP's capital	651,627,000		625,632,000
Total liabilities and partners' capital	10,279,877,000		10,120,897,000
Combined basis difference	10,000,000
Total revenues	1,166,454,000	1,067,491,000
Loss from discontinued operations	1,100,000	(2,600,000)
Net income	9,783,000	7,996,000
HCP's share of earnings	13,601,000	14,528,000
Fees earned by HCP	460,000	449,000
Distributions received by HCP	2,181,000	3,202,000
HCRMC | Subsequent event
Subsequent Events
New cases filed	3
HCRMC | Post-acute/skilled
Summarized combined financial information for unconsolidated joint ventures:
Recharacterized DFL income to equity income	$ 16,000,000	$ 16,000,000