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

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_NumberOfUnconsolidatedJointVenture
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 35
-Paragraph 32
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49116238&loc=d3e32787-111569

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total investments in (A) an entity in which the entity has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method, and (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. Includes long-term advances receivable from a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.

+ 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 210.5-02.12)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	na
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Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures - Equity Method Investments (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 30, 2015
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 605,244		$ 605,448		$ 605,244	$ 605,448
Other than temporary impairment charge					$ 45,895	35,913
Senior housing
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Number of unconsolidated joint ventures \| item					2
Other than temporary impairment charge	19,000	$ 27,000	$ 36,000
MBK
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage							50.00%
CCRC JV \| Senior housing
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 465,179				$ 465,179
Investment ownership percentage	49.00%				49.00%
HCRMC
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Other than temporary impairment charge	$ 19,000			$ 27,000	$ 19,000	$ 36,000
HCRMC \| Senior housing
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Number of unconsolidated joint ventures \| item					2
HCRMC \| Post-acute/skilled
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage	9.00%				9.00%
MBK JV \| Senior housing
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 34,131				$ 34,131
Investment ownership percentage	50.00%				50.00%		50.00%
MBK Development JV \| Senior housing
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 2,224				$ 2,224
Investment ownership percentage	50.00%				50.00%
HCP Ventures III, LLC \| Medical office
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 9,241				$ 9,241
Investment ownership percentage	30.00%				30.00%
HCP Ventures IV \| Hospital and medical office segments
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 11,884				$ 11,884
Investment ownership percentage	20.00%				20.00%
HCP Life Science \| Life science
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 68,582				$ 68,582
Number of unconsolidated joint ventures \| item					3
HCP Life Science \| Life science \| Minimum
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage	50.00%				50.00%
Torrey Pines Science Center, LP \| Life science
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage	50.00%				50.00%
Britannia Biotech Gateway, LP \| Life science
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage	55.00%				55.00%
LASDK, LP \| Life science
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage	63.00%				63.00%
Vintage Park \| Senior housing
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 8,729				$ 8,729
Investment ownership percentage	85.00%				85.00%
Suburban Properties, LLC \| Medical office
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 4,621				$ 4,621
Investment ownership percentage	67.00%				67.00%
Advances to unconsolidated joint ventures, net
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	$ 653				$ 653