Carrying amount of healthcare facilities which are secured by mortgage debt.

No definition available.

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

- Definition

Number of healthcare facilities which are secured by mortgage debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The limit of the ratio of Consolidated Total Indebtedness to Consolidated Total Asset Value contained in the debt covenants.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The required minimum Fixed Charge Coverage ratio contained in the debt covenants.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
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- Definition

The required Minimum Consolidated Tangible Net Worth contained in the debt covenants.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The limit of the ratio of Secured Debt to Consolidated Total Asset Value contained in the debt covenants.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The limit of the ratio of Unsecured Debt to Consolidated Unencumbered Asset Value contained in the debt covenants.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the length of the debt instrument extension period.

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No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_DebtInstrumentPeriodOfExtension
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents weighted average maturity of debt.

+ References

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

The term of a derivative instrument from the effective date until maturity.

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No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

Number of continuing care retirement communities under which non-interest bearing life care bonds are issued that are refundable to the resident or resident's estate upon termination or cancellation of the agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the maximum additional borrowing capacity available under the credit facility, subject to customary conditions.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The portion of the outstanding balance of the line of credit that is denominated in a foreign currency.

+ References

No definition available.

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of senior housing facilities under which non-interest bearing occupancy fee deposits are outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

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Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

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No definition available.

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Amount of long-term debt before deduction of unamortized discount or premium. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, with initial maturities beyond one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

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The reference rate for the variable rate of the debt instrument, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR.

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No definition available.

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Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

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-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

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Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

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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.

+ References

No definition available.

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Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

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The amount of debt discount (net of debt premium) that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

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Weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding.

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No definition available.

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Fixed interest rate related to the interest rate derivative.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5

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The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for the line of credit facility regardless of whether the facility has been used.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

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Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20, 22

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-04.(a))

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

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Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the remainder of the fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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The carrying amount as of the balance sheet date for the aggregate of other miscellaneous borrowings owed by the reporting entity.

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The cash inflow from a debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer.

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-Glossary Financing Activities

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Amount of cash outflow for payment of an obligation from a lender, including but not limited to, letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements.

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-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(f))

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The cash outflow for a long-term debt where the holder has highest claim on the entity's asset in case of bankruptcy or liquidation during the period.

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Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of uncollateralized debt obligations (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer).

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Period Type:

Debt (Details) £ in Millions									9 Months Ended
Debt (Details) £ in Millions	May. 20, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 01, 2015 USD ($)	Jan. 21, 2015 USD ($)	Jan. 12, 2015 GBP (£)	Aug. 14, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 14, 2014 USD ($)	Feb. 21, 2014 USD ($)	Feb. 01, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 GBP (£) item	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Debt Instrument
Bank line of credit											$ 1,000,824,000	$ 838,516,000
Debt instruments, carrying amount											11,050,319,000
Repayments of Lines of Credit									$ 102,063,000
Senior unsecured notes											8,568,729,000	7,626,194,000
2015 (Nine months)											7,542,000
2016											1,386,722,000
2017											1,331,891,000
2018											1,607,407,000
2019											785,328,000
Thereafter											5,963,170,000
Total debt before discount, net											11,082,060,000
Discounts, net											(31,741,000)
Other debt											$ 94,561,000	$ 97,022,000
Number of CCRC issuing non-interest life care bonds \| item										2	2
Number of facilities with non-interest bearing occupancy fee deposits \| item										2	2
Interest-rate swap contracts
Debt Instrument
Term of the interest rate swap agreement				3 years
Line of Credit and Term Loan
Debt Instrument
Debt instrument, covenant debt to assets (as a percent)										60.00%	60.00%
Debt instrument, covenant secured debt to assets (as a percent)										30.00%	30.00%
Debt instrument, covenant unsecured debt to unencumbered assets (as a percent)										60.00%	60.00%
Debt instrument, covenant minimum fixed charge coverage ratio										1.5	1.5
Bank Line of Credit
Debt Instrument
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity											$ 2,000,000,000
Length of debt instrument extension period									1 year
Debt instrument, variable rate basis									LIBOR
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)									0.925%
Debt instrument, facility fee (as a percent)									0.15%
Line of credit facility additional aggregate amount, maximum									$ 500,000,000
Bank line of credit										£ 1,000	1,000,000,000
Line of credit, portion denominated in GBP										£ 242	$ 366,000,000
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)										1.52%	1.52%
Debt instruments, carrying amount											$ 1,000,824,000
Repayments of Lines of Credit \| £				£ 220
Debt instrument, covenant net worth											9,500,000,000
2018											1,000,824,000
Total debt before discount, net											1,000,824,000
Term loans
Debt Instrument
Debt instruments, carrying amount										£ 357	540,784,000
2016											207,528,000
2019											333,256,000
Total debt before discount, net											540,784,000
2015 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument
Length of debt instrument extension period				1 year
Debt instrument, variable rate basis				GBP LIBOR
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)				0.975%
Debt instruments, carrying amount				£ 220							$ 333,000,000
Maturity period of debt instruments				4 years
Derivative, fixed interest rate (as a percent)				1.79%
Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)										4.71%	4.71%
Debt instruments, carrying amount											$ 8,568,729,000
Senior unsecured notes											8,600,000,000
Weighted-average maturity									6 years
2016											900,000,000
2017											750,000,000
2018											600,000,000
2019											450,000,000
Thereafter											5,900,000,000
Total debt before discount, net											8,600,000,000
Discounts, net											$ (31,271,000)
Senior Unsecured Notes \| Minimum
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage										2.79%	2.79%
Senior Unsecured Notes \| Maximum
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage										6.88%	6.88%
Senior Unsecured, 3.40% notes due 2025
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 600,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			3.40%
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt			$ 591,000,000
Senior Unsecured 4.0% notes due 2025
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 750,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.00%
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	$ 739,000,000
Senior Unsecured, 3.875% notes due 2024
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 800,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					3.875%
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt					$ 792,000,000
Senior Unsecured, 4.20% notes due 2024
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 350,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage							4.20%
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt							$ 346,000,000
Senior unsecured notes, 2.7%
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage								2.70%
Repayments of Senior Debt								$ 400,000,000
Senior Unsecured Debt 6.0 Percent Incepted March 1, 2015
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		6.00%
Repayments of Senior Debt		$ 200,000,000
Senior Unsecured Debt 7.07 Percent Incepted June 8, 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage										7.07%	7.07%
Repayments of Senior Debt									$ 200,000,000
Senior Unsecured Debt 6.0 Percent Incepted June 14, 2014
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						6.00%
Repayments of Senior Debt						$ 62,000,000
Senior Unsecured Debt LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument
Repayments of Senior Debt						$ 25,000,000
Mortgage Debt
Debt Instrument
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)										6.21%	6.21%
Debt instruments, carrying amount											$ 939,982,000
Number of healthcare facilities used to secure debt \| item										63	63
Debt instrument, collateral, healthcare facilities carrying value											$ 1,200,000,000
Weighted-average maturity									3 years
2015 (Nine months)											7,542,000
2016											279,194,000
2017											581,891,000
2018											6,583,000
2019											2,072,000
Thereafter											63,170,000
Total debt before discount, net											940,452,000
Discounts, net											$ (470,000)
Mortgage Debt \| Minimum
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage										3.16%	3.16%
Mortgage Debt \| Maximum
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage										8.35%	8.35%
Demand Note
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage										4.50%	4.50%
Other debt											$ 28,000,000
Non-interest Bearing Life Care Bonds
Debt Instrument
Other debt											$ 67,000,000