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 debt instrument extension period exercised.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- 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

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- 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

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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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

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Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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.

+ Details

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

Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense for debt.

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-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

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

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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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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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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-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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Balance Type:	credit
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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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-Section S99
-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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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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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.

+ References

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

+ References

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Debt (Details) $ in Thousands, £ in Millions										1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Debt (Details) $ in Thousands, £ in Millions	Oct. 17, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 15, 2016 USD ($)	Feb. 01, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 01, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 08, 2015 USD ($)	May 20, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 01, 2015 USD ($)	Jan. 21, 2015 USD ($)	Jul. 30, 2012 GBP (£)	Oct. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 GBP (£) item	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Jul. 30, 2012 USD ($)
Debt Instrument
Bank line of credit														$ 1,372,032	$ 397,432
Senior unsecured notes														8,229,731	9,120,107
Total debt before discount, net														10,893,486
(Discounts), premiums and debt costs, net														(66,827)
Debt instruments, carrying amount														10,826,659
Other debt														93,876	$ 94,445
Subsequent event
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)										9.00%
Maturity period of debt instruments										5 years
Debt maturing in 2016
Debt Instrument
2016														30,626
Debt maturing in 2017
Debt Instrument
2017														1,511,408
Debt maturing in 2018
Debt Instrument
2018														1,980,322
Debt maturing in 2019
Debt Instrument
2019														739,465
Debt maturing in 2020
Debt Instrument
2020														803,907
Thereafter
Debt Instrument
Thereafter														$ 5,827,758
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
Debt instrument, variable rate basis												LIBOR
Length of debt instrument extension period												1 year
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)												1.05%
Debt instrument, facility fee (as a percent)												0.20%
Line of credit facility additional aggregate amount, maximum												$ 500,000
Bank line of credit														$ 1,400,000
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)													1.85%	1.85%
Debt instrument, covenant net worth										$ 6,500,000				$ 9,500,000
Line of credit, portion denominated in GBP													£ 275	357,000
Total debt before discount, net														1,372,032
Debt instruments, carrying amount														1,372,032
Bank Line of Credit \| Debt maturing in 2018
Debt Instrument
2018														1,372,032
Term loans
Debt Instrument
Term loans, portion denominated in GBP \| £													357
Total debt before discount, net														463,493
(Discounts), premiums and debt costs, net														(1,312)
Debt instruments, carrying amount														462,181
Term loans \| Debt maturing in 2017
Debt Instrument
2017														177,867
Term loans \| Debt maturing in 2019
Debt Instrument
2019														285,626
2012 Term Loan
Debt Instrument
Extension option exercised											1 year
Debt Instrument, Face Amount									£ 137							$ 178,000
Maturity period of debt instruments									4 years
2012 Term Loan \| GBP LIBOR
Debt Instrument
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)									1.40%
Unsecured term loan, GBP LIBOR plus 0.975%
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Face Amount													£ 220	$ 286,000
Maturity period of debt instruments												4 years
Unsecured term loan, GBP LIBOR plus 0.975% \| GBP LIBOR
Debt Instrument
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate (as a percent)												1.15%
Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)													4.63%	4.63%
Senior unsecured notes														$ 8,300,000
Total debt before discount, net														8,300,000
(Discounts), premiums and debt costs, net														(70,269)
Debt instruments, carrying amount														$ 8,229,731
Weighted-average maturity												6 years
Senior Unsecured Notes \| Minimum
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)													2.79%	2.79%
Senior Unsecured Notes \| Maximum
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)													6.88%	6.88%
Senior Unsecured Notes \| Debt maturing in 2017
Debt Instrument
2017														$ 750,000
Senior Unsecured Notes \| Debt maturing in 2018
Debt Instrument
2018														600,000
Senior Unsecured Notes \| Debt maturing in 2019
Debt Instrument
2019														450,000
Senior Unsecured Notes \| Debt maturing in 2020
Debt Instrument
2020														800,000
Senior Unsecured Notes \| Thereafter
Debt Instrument
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 (as a percent)								3.40%
Net proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes								$ 591,000
Senior Unsecured 4.0% notes due 2025
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)						4.00%
Net proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes						$ 739,000
Senior Unsecured, 4.0% notes due 2022
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				$ 600,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)				4.00%
Net proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes				$ 594,000
Senior Unsecured Debt 3.75 Percent Incepted February 1 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)			3.75%
Repayment of senior unsecured notes			$ 500,000
Senior Unsecured Debt 6.30 Percent Incepted September 15 2016[Member]
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)		6.30%
Repayment of senior unsecured notes		$ 400,000
Senior Unsecured Debt 6.0 Percent Incepted March 1, 2015
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)							6.00%
Repayment of senior unsecured notes							$ 200,000
Senior Unsecured Debt 7.07 Percent Incepted June 8, 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)					7.072%
Repayment of senior unsecured notes					$ 200,000
Senior secured notes
Debt Instrument
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)													5.79%	5.79%
Number of healthcare facilities used to secure debt \| item													46	46
Debt instrument, collateral, healthcare facilities carrying value														$ 1,100,000
Total debt before discount, net														757,961
(Discounts), premiums and debt costs, net														4,754
Debt instruments, carrying amount														$ 762,715
Weighted-average maturity												5 years
Senior secured notes \| Subsequent event \| QCP
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)	8.125%
Interest expense	$ 2,000
Senior secured notes \| Minimum
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)													3.05%	3.05%
Senior secured notes \| Maximum
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)													8.20%	8.20%
Senior secured notes \| Debt maturing in 2016
Debt Instrument
2016														$ 30,626
Senior secured notes \| Debt maturing in 2017
Debt Instrument
2017														583,541
Senior secured notes \| Debt maturing in 2018
Debt Instrument
2018														8,290
Senior secured notes \| Debt maturing in 2019
Debt Instrument
2019														3,839
Senior secured notes \| Debt maturing in 2020
Debt Instrument
2020														3,907
Senior secured notes \| Thereafter
Debt Instrument
Thereafter														127,758
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													3	3
Demand Note
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (as a percent)													4.50%	4.50%
Other debt														$ 28,000