No definition available.

Name:	hcn_InvestmentsStructuredUnderRidea
Namespace Prefix:	hcn_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Percentage of capital gains on taxable income distributed to stockholders.

No definition available.

Name:	hcn_PercentageOfCapitalGainsOnTaxableIncomeDistributedToStockholders
Namespace Prefix:	hcn_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Percentage of federal excise tax on real estate investment trusts that do not distribute income.

No definition available.

Name:	hcn_PercentageOfFederalExciseTaxOnRealEstateInvestmentTrustsThatDoNotDistributeIncome
Namespace Prefix:	hcn_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Percentage of taxable income to be distributed to stockholders for federal tax purposes.

No definition available.

Name:	hcn_PercentageOfTaxableIncomeToBeDistributedToStockholdersForFederalTaxPurposes
Namespace Prefix:	hcn_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

Tax assets subject to collection under indemnification agreement, maximum

No definition available.

Name:	hcn_SubjectToCollectionMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	hcn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Tax assets subject to collection under indemnification agreement, minimum

No definition available.

Name:	hcn_SubjectToCollectionMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	hcn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Aggregate dividends paid during the period for each share of common stock outstanding.

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	us-types:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The allocated portion as of the balance sheet date of a valuation allowance pertaining to a deferred tax asset classified as current for which, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not, such asset will not be fully realized through future reductions of tax-based income.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 109

-Paragraph 41, 42, 43

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

The noncurrent portion of the amount recognized for uncertain tax positions as of the balance sheet date.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

-Number 48

-Paragraph 6, 7, 8

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

The expiration date of each operating loss carryforward included in total operating loss carryforwards, or the applicable range of such expiration dates.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 109

-Paragraph 48

-Subparagraph a

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsExpirationDates
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits (tax reductions recognized in financial reports but excluded from tax returns) pertaining to uncertain tax positions taken in tax returns as of the beginning balance sheet date, excluding amounts pertaining to examined tax returns.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

-Number 48

-Paragraph 21

-Subparagraph a

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

This element represents the total of accruals as of the date of the statement of financial position for interest recognized for an underpayment of income taxes computed by applying the applicable statutory rate of interest to the difference between a tax position recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amount previously taken or expected to be taken in a tax return of the entity and the amount of statutory penalties for a tax position claimed or expected to be claimed by the entity, in its tax return, that does not meet the minimum statutory threshold to avoid payment of penalties.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

-Number 48

-Paragraph 21

-Subparagraph c

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

-Number 48

-Paragraph 15, 16

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

This element represents the total of interest expense recognized for an underpayment of income taxes computed by applying the applicable statutory rate of interest to the difference between a tax position recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amount previously taken or expected to be taken in a tax return of the entity and the amount of statutory penalties in the period in which the entity claims or expects to claim a tax position, in its tax return, that does not meet the minimum statutory threshold to avoid payment of penalties.