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

Name:	hcp_DebtInstrumentCovenantFixedChargeRatioMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_DebtInstrumentCovenantNetWorth
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
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

Name:	hcp_DebtInstrumentCovenantSecuredDebtToAssets
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

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

- Definition

Represents the length of the debt instrument extension period.

+ References

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.

+ Details

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

- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Period of time opttion to extende for debt instrument upon the maturity date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- 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

Name:	hcp_FacilityIssuingLifeCareBondNumber
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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

Name:	hcp_LineOfCreditFacilityAdditionalAvailableBorrowingCapacityMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

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

- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

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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-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9

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

- Definition

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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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

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-Paragraph 2
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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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

+ References

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Balance Type:	na
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.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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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- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Fixed interest rate related to the interest rate derivative.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- 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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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-SubTopic 210
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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 19, 20, 22
-Article 5

+ Details

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

- Definition

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

- Definition

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

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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- Definition

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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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
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-Section S99
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-04.(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e24072-122690

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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 next 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 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.

+ 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 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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Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

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

+ References

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Name:	us-gaap_OtherBorrowings
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

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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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(f))
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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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).

+ References

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

- Details

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Debt (Details) $ in Thousands, £ in Millions												12 Months Ended
Debt (Details) $ in Thousands, £ in Millions	Dec. 01, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 08, 2015 USD ($)	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 ($)	Jul. 30, 2012 GBP (£)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 GBP (£) item	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) item	Jan. 12, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Debt Instrument
Bank line of credit														$ 397,432		$ 838,516
Debt instruments, carrying amount														10,974,558
Term of the interest rate swap agreement						3 years
Repayments of Lines of Credit												$ 511,521
Senior unsecured notes														9,120,107		7,589,960
Total debt before discount, net														11,056,810
Discounts, net														(82,252)
Other debt														94,445		$ 97,022
Debt maturing in 2016
Debt Instrument
2015														1,381,228
Debt maturing in 2017
Debt Instrument
2016														1,331,891
Debt maturing in 2018
Debt Instrument
2017														1,004,015
Debt maturing in 2019
Debt Instrument
2018														776,506
Debt maturing in 2020
Debt Instrument
2019														802,078
Thereafter
Debt Instrument
Thereafter														$ 5,761,092
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
Debt instrument, covenant net worth														$ 9,500,000
Bank Line of Credit
Debt Instrument
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity														$ 2,000,000
Extended debt instrument term												1 year
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
Bank line of credit \| £													£ 270
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)													1.72%	1.72%
Debt instruments, carrying amount														$ 397,432
Repayments of Lines of Credit \| £						£ 220
Total debt before discount, net														397,432
Bank Line of Credit \| Debt maturing in 2018
Debt Instrument
2017														397,432
Term loans
Debt Instrument
Debt instruments, carrying amount														524,807
2016 \| £													£ 357
2019 \| £													£ 357
Total debt before discount, net														526,468
Discounts, net														(1,661)
Term loans \| Debt maturing in 2016
Debt Instrument
2015														202,034
Term loans \| Debt maturing in 2019
Debt Instrument
2018														324,434
2012 Term Loan
Debt Instrument
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)											1.20%
Debt instruments, carrying amount											£ 137			$ 202,000
Maturity period of debt instruments											4 years
Debt instrument, variable rate basis											GBP LIBOR
Length of debt instrument extension period											1 year
2012 Term Loan \| Interest-rate swap contracts
Debt Instrument
Term of the interest rate swap agreement											4 years
Derivative, fixed interest rate (as a percent)											1.81%
2015 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)						0.975%
Maturity period of debt instruments						4 years
Debt instrument, variable rate basis						GBP LIBOR
Derivative, fixed interest rate (as a percent)						1.79%									1.79%
Length of debt instrument extension period						1 year
Senior unsecured notes						£ 220									$ 323,000
Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)													4.68%	4.68%
Debt instruments, carrying amount														$ 9,120,107
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage													4.68%	4.68%
Total debt before discount, net														$ 9,200,000
Discounts, net														$ (79,893)
Weighted-average maturity												6 years
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 Notes \| Debt maturing in 2016
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage													5.09%	5.09%
2015														$ 900,000
Senior Unsecured Notes \| Debt maturing in 2017
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage													6.02%	6.02%
2016														$ 750,000
Senior Unsecured Notes \| Debt maturing in 2018
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage													6.81%	6.81%
2017														$ 600,000
Senior Unsecured Notes \| Debt maturing in 2019
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage													3.97%	3.97%
2018														$ 450,000
Senior Unsecured Notes \| Debt maturing in 2020
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage													2.79%	2.79%
2019														$ 800,000
Senior Unsecured Notes \| Thereafter
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage													4.54%	4.54%
Thereafter														$ 5,700,000
Senior Unsecured, 3.40% notes due 2025
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 600,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					3.40%
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt					$ 591,000
Senior Unsecured 4.0% notes due 2025
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			4.00%
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt			$ 739,000
Senior Unsecured, 4.0% notes due 2022
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 600,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.00%
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	$ 594,000
Senior Unsecured, 3.875% notes due 2024
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 800,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage							3.875%
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt							$ 792,000
Senior Unsecured, 4.20% notes due 2024
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Face Amount									$ 350,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage									4.20%
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt									$ 346,000
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
Senior Unsecured Debt 7.07 Percent Incepted June 8, 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		7.072%
Repayments of Senior Debt		$ 200,000
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
Senior Unsecured, 2.70% notes due 2014
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage										2.70%
Repayments of Senior Debt										$ 400,000
Mortgage Debt
Debt Instrument
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)													6.21%	6.21%
Debt instruments, carrying amount														$ 932,212
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage													6.21%	6.21%
Number of healthcare facilities used to secure debt \| item													62	62
Debt instrument, collateral, healthcare facilities carrying value														$ 1,200,000
Total debt before discount, net														932,910
Discounts, net														$ (698)
Weighted-average maturity												2 years
Mortgage Debt \| Minimum
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage													3.14%	3.14%
Mortgage Debt \| Maximum
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage													8.35%	8.35%
Mortgage Debt \| Debt maturing in 2016
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage													6.84%	6.84%
2015														$ 279,194
Mortgage Debt \| Debt maturing in 2017
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage													6.08%	6.08%
2016														$ 581,891
Mortgage Debt \| Debt maturing in 2018
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage													5.90%	5.90%
2017														$ 6,583
Mortgage Debt \| Debt maturing in 2019
Debt Instrument
2018														$ 2,072
Mortgage Debt \| Debt maturing in 2020
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage													5.14%	5.14%
2019														$ 2,078
Mortgage Debt \| Thereafter
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage													4.98%	4.98%
Thereafter														$ 61,092
Demand Note
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage													4.50%	4.50%
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt												$ 28,000
Non-interest Bearing Life Care Bonds
Debt Instrument
Other debt														$ 66,000
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