The number of equity members that do not have a substantive investment in the variable interest entity.

No definition available.

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

- Definition

Represents number of unconsolidated joint ventures between entity and an institutional capital partner.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The number of VIE borrowers in which the entity has invested in marketable debt securities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number of properties leased by the entity to tenants that have been identified as a VIE.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number of tenants of properties leased by entity for which the tenant is considered a VIE tenant.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount after allowance and deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements and loans held for sale.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28367877&loc=d3e4428-111522

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

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

- Definition

Balance sheet classification of the Variable Interest Entity's (VIE) assets included in the statement of financial position of the reporting entity. This element is applicable for variable interests whether the reporting entity has a controlling financial interest (primary beneficiary) or not.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (bb)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=52262685&loc=d3e5710-111685

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityClassificationOfCarryingAmountAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's assets and liabilities included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The reporting entity's maximum amount of exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the Variable Interest Entity (VIE).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph b

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=52262685&loc=d3e5728-111685

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=52262685&loc=d3e5747-111685

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of the Variable Interest Entity's (VIE) voting interest owned by (or beneficial interest in) the reporting entity (directly or indirectly).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5A

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=52262685&loc=SL6759159-111685

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryAggregatedDisclosureMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=hcp_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryInvestmentInJointVentureMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=hcp_HCPVenturesIVLLCMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=hcp_VintageIlDevelopmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=hcp_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryTenantsWithOperatingLeasesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=hcp_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryTenantsWithDirectFinancingLeasesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=hcp_FourSeasonsHealthCareMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=hcp_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiarySeniorLoansSecuredMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=hcp_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryDebtInvestmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=hcp_RIDEAJVMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=hcp_Ridea3OpcoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Variable Interest Entities (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Variable Interest Entities (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) item	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Company's involvement with VIEs:
Number of unconsolidated joint ventures \| item		3
Number of VIE Borrowers With Debt Securities \| item	2	2
Loans receivables	$ 765,593	$ 765,593	$ 906,961
Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities
Company's involvement with VIEs:
Number of senior housing facilities leased \| item	48	48
Number of VIE tenants \| item	7	7
CCRC OpCo
Company's involvement with VIEs:
Maximum Loss Exposure	$ 234,246	$ 234,246
Assets/liability type		Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures
Carrying amount	234,246	$ 234,246
Ownership percentage (as a percent)		49.00%
HCP Ventures IV
Company's involvement with VIEs:
Maximum Loss Exposure	152,415	$ 152,415
Assets/liability type		Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures
Carrying amount	45,416	$ 45,416
Loans receivables	21,000	21,000
Committed support	107,000	$ 107,000
Ownership percentage (as a percent)		20.00%
Vintage Park
Company's involvement with VIEs:
Number of equity members without substantive interest \| item		1
Maximum Loss Exposure	5,745	$ 5,745
Assets/liability type		Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures
Carrying amount	5,745	$ 5,745
Ownership percentage (as a percent)		85.00%
VIE tenants-operating leases
Company's involvement with VIEs:
Maximum Loss Exposure	11,299	$ 11,299
Assets/liability type		Lease intangibles, net and straight-line rent receivables
Carrying amount	11,299	$ 11,299
VIE tenants-DFLs
Company's involvement with VIEs:
Maximum Loss Exposure	600,235	$ 600,235
Assets/liability type		Net investment in DFLs
Carrying amount	600,235	$ 600,235
Four Seasons
Company's involvement with VIEs:
Maximum Loss Exposure	100,348	$ 100,348
Assets/liability type		Marketable debt securities
Carrying amount	100,348	$ 100,348
Loan-senior secured
Company's involvement with VIEs:
Maximum Loss Exposure	16,987	$ 16,987
Assets/liability type		Loans receivable, net
Carrying amount	16,987	$ 16,987
CMBS
Company's involvement with VIEs:
Maximum Loss Exposure	17,751	$ 17,751
Assets/liability type		Marketable debt securities
Carrying amount	$ 17,751	$ 17,751
RIDEA I OpCo
Company's involvement with VIEs:
Ownership percentage (as a percent)		90.00%
RIDEA III OpCo
Company's involvement with VIEs:
Ownership percentage (as a percent)	90.00%
RIDEA II
Company's involvement with VIEs:
Ownership percentage (as a percent)		80.00%