Represents the number of properties sold during the period, not categorized as discontinued operations.

No definition available.

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

- Definition

Loans And Leases Receivable, Purchase Option, Number Of Properties

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The gross carrying amount of loans receivable that are subordinated to receivables held by other entities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_LoansReceivableGrossCarryingAmountMezzanine
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The number of loans to VIE borrowers.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- 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:	instant

- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents the period of call-option retained.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- 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

Tax Benefit Of Initial Consolidation Of Variable Interest Entity

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- 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

Represents the number of controlling ownership interest entities, in which the company holds the interest and is the managing member of the partnership.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- 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=82891408&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

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

- Definition

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

+ 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=77990344&loc=d3e5710-111685

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

- Definition

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

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The gain (loss) recognized on initial consolidation of a variable interest entity (VIE) when the VIE is not a business (as defined).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77990344&loc=d3e5710-111685

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Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityInitialConsolidationGainOrLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- 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=77990344&loc=SL6759159-111685

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=hcp_SeniorHousingTripleNetMember
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Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=hcp_VintageIlDevelopmentMember
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Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=hcp_DownreitPartnershipsMember
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Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=hcp_MariaMallabandCareGroupLtdMember
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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember
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Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMember
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Variable Interest Entities - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands, £ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 property	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) property facility joint_venture tenant loan	Mar. 31, 2018 GBP (£) facility joint_venture	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) property	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) property	Mar. 31, 2018 GBP (£) property joint_venture tenant loan	Dec. 31, 2016 GBP (£) property
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Mezzanine \| $		$ 22,105			$ 269,299
Loans receivable, net \| $		47,012			$ 313,326
Loss from initial consolidation of VIE \| $		$ 41,017		$ 0
Senior housing triple-net
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of properties sold \| property	64
Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of unconsolidated joint ventures \| joint_venture		5					5
Number of VIE borrowers with marketable debt securities \| joint_venture		1					1
Number of loans to VIE borrowers \| loan		1					1
CCRC OpCo
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (as a percent)		49.00%	49.00%
Vintage Park Development JV
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (as a percent)		85.00%	85.00%
Waldwick
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (as a percent)		85.00%	85.00%
VIE tenants-operating leases
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of properties leased \| property		48					48
Number of VIE tenants \| tenant		7					7
Loan - Seller Financing \| Senior housing triple-net
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Mezzanine \| $		$ 10,000
Number of properties sold \| facility		7	7
Term of facility		5 years	5 years
HCP Ventures V
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (as a percent)		51.00%	51.00%
Vintage Park JV
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (as a percent)		90.00%	90.00%
Watertown JV
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (as a percent)		95.00%	95.00%
Hayden JV
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage (as a percent)		99.00%	99.00%
Consolidated lessees VIE
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of properties leased \| property		21					21
DownREIT Partnerships
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of controlling ownership interest entities as a managing member \| joint_venture		5	5
MMCG
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loss from initial consolidation of VIE		$ 41,000	£ 29
Tax benefit of initial consolidation of variable interest entity		3,000	2
Carrying amount of liabilities in VIE		13,000					£ 9
MMCG \| Property, plant and equipment
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Carrying amount of assets in VIE		114,000					81
MMCG \| Intangible assets
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Carrying amount of assets in VIE		5,000					£ 4
MMCG \| Bridge Loan
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans receivable, net						$ 131,000		£ 105
Number of properties in a purchase option \| property						7		7
Period of call-option retained						3 years
Loss from initial consolidation of VIE		41,000	£ 29
Exchange Accommodation Titleholder
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Carrying amount of assets in VIE \| $		$ 153,000
Number of properties acquired \| property					11