Name:	hcp_NetInvestmentInDirectFinancingAndSalesTypeLeasesAsPercentage
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Number of properties with direct financing leases at the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_PropertiesWithDirectFinancingLeasesNumber
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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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Revenue realized in the period on direct financing leases.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeasesIncomeStatementDirectFinancingLeaseRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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- References

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeasesNetInvestmentInDirectFinancingLeasesAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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The net amount due as of the balance sheet date consisting of: (a) minimum lease payments due on direct financing and sales-type leases, (b) unguaranteed residual value, and (c) any unamortized initial direct costs on direct financing leases; less: (i) executory costs, (ii) unearned income, and (iii) the accumulated allowance for uncollectible minimum lease payments.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84165051&loc=d3e45377-112738

Name:	us-gaap_NetInvestmentInDirectFinancingAndSalesTypeLeases
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Cash received for rents during the current period.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 25
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3536-108585

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Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusAxis=hcp_WatchListFinancingReceivableMember
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Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusAxis=hcp_WorkoutFinancingReceivableMember
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Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=hcp_SeniorHousingTripleNetMember
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