No definition available.

Name:	hcn_DrawsOnExistingLoans
Namespace Prefix:	hcn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Investments in new loans.

No definition available.

Name:	hcn_InvestmentsInNewLoans
Namespace Prefix:	hcn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Loan payoffs.

No definition available.

Name:	hcn_LoanPayoffs
Namespace Prefix:	hcn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Principal payments on loans.

No definition available.

Name:	hcn_PrincipalPaymentsOnLoans
Namespace Prefix:	hcn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	hcn_ReceiptsOnRealEstateLoansReceivableAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	hcn_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The net amount paid (received) by the reporting entity associated with purchase (sale or collection) of loans receivable arising from the financing of goods and services.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 13

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

The cash outflow for the purchase of loan receivable arising from the financing of goods and services.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 15

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 17

-Subparagraph a

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

The cash inflow associated with the collection, including prepayments, of loans receivable issued for financing of goods and services.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 15, 16