Name:	hcp_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaNetIncomeLossAttributableToParent
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Period Type:	duration

This element represents the fair value of the equity interests owned by noncontrolling non-managing members at the acquisition date.

No definition available.

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The total of consideration for the business acquisition that took the form of cash paid or debt settled.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_BusinessCombinationConsiderationCashPaidAndDebtSettled
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Represents the term of the agreement under which the Company receives management and accounting services.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_ManagementAgreementTerm
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Represents the total number of facilities the entity acquired at the end of an acquisition.

No definition available.

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This element represents the number of facilities placed into service.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_NumberOfFacilitiesPlacedIntoService
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The number of leases.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_NumberOfLeases
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Period Type:	duration

The number of units acquired.

No definition available.

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The minimum rate of occupancy necessary for a community to be deemed stabilized.

No definition available.

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The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of business during the period. Reflects the portion which is translated.

No definition available.

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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.

No definition available.

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The pro forma basic net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
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The pro forma diluted net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

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No definition available.

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The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

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The pro forma revenue for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of the period.

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaRevenue
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Period Type:	duration

This element represents the fair value of the noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Amount of tangible or intangible assets, including a business or subsidiary of the acquirer transferred by the entity to the former owners of the acquiree. Excludes cash.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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This element represents the amount of earnings or loss of the acquiree since the acquisition date included in the consolidated income statement for the reporting period.

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This element represents the amount of revenue of the acquiree since the acquisition date included in the consolidated income statement for the reporting period.

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Amount of other assets expected to be realized or consumed before one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, acquired at the acquisition date.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Amount of intangible assets, excluding goodwill, acquired at the acquisition date.

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Amount of liabilities assumed at the acquisition date.

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The amount of property, plant, and equipment recognized as of the acquisition date.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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- References

No definition available.

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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.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Topic 420
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Aggregate of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of investments in building and building improvements.

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount before allowance of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Includes deferred interest and fees, undisbursed portion of loan balance, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Name:	us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableGrossCarryingAmount
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The equity interest of noncontrolling shareholders, partners or other equity holders in consolidated entity.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Amount of increase in noncontrolling interest from sale of a portion of the parent's controlling interest.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase.

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The cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Name:	us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis=hcp_U.k.LoanFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=hcp_LifescienceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=hcp_MedicalOfficeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=hcp_HospitalMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=hcp_PostAcuteAndSkilledNursingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=hcp_PrivatePaySeniorHousingPortfolioMember
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