Real Estate Loans Receivable (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Summary of real estate loans receivable
Real estate loans receivable	$ 332,146,000	$ 895,665,000
Advances on real estate loans receivable:
Investments in new loans	45,275,000	621,390,000		18,541,000
Draws on existing loans	75,634,000	43,704,000		32,936,000
Sub-total	120,909,000	665,094,000		51,477,000
Less: Seller financing on loans receivable	(3,850,000)	0		0
Net cash advances on real estate loans	117,059,000	665,094,000		51,477,000
Receipts on real estate loans receivable:
Loan payoffs	69,596,000	12,555,000		165,648,000
Principal payments on loans	33,290,000	22,465,000		23,163,000
Total receipts on real estate loans	102,886,000	35,020,000		188,811,000
Net advances (receipts) on real estate loans	14,173,000	630,074,000		(137,334,000)
Change in balance due to foreign currency translation	1,402,000	0		0
Net Change Real Estate Loans Receivable	15,575,000	630,074,000		(137,334,000)
Mortgage Receivable [Member]
Summary of real estate loans receivable
Real estate loans receivable	146,987,000	87,955,000
Other Real Estate Loans Receivables [Member]
Summary of real estate loans receivable
Real estate loans receivable	185,159,000	807,710,000
Medical Facilities [Member]
Advances on real estate loans receivable:
Investments in new loans	4,095,000	38,336,000		0
Draws on existing loans	8,183,000	1,950,000		3,184,000
Sub-total	12,278,000	40,286,000		3,184,000
Less: Seller financing on loans receivable				0
Net cash advances on real estate loans	12,278,000	40,286,000		3,184,000
Receipts on real estate loans receivable:
Loan payoffs	646,000	2,168,000		2,943,000
Principal payments on loans	2,469,000	2,679,000		5,307,000
Total receipts on real estate loans	3,115,000	4,847,000		8,250,000
Net advances (receipts) on real estate loans	9,163,000	35,439,000		(5,066,000)
Change in balance due to foreign currency translation		0		0
Net Change Real Estate Loans Receivable	9,163,000	35,439,000		(5,066,000)
Senior Housing Facilities Triple Net [Member]
Advances on real estate loans receivable:
Investments in new loans	41,180,000	2,220,000		18,541,000
Draws on existing loans	67,451,000	41,754,000		29,752,000
Sub-total	108,631,000	43,974,000		48,293,000
Less: Seller financing on loans receivable	(3,850,000)	0		0
Net cash advances on real estate loans	104,781,000	43,974,000		48,293,000
Receipts on real estate loans receivable:
Loan payoffs	68,950,000	10,387,000		162,705,000
Principal payments on loans	30,821,000	19,786,000		17,856,000
Total receipts on real estate loans	99,771,000	30,173,000		180,561,000
Net advances (receipts) on real estate loans	5,010,000	13,801,000		(132,268,000)
Change in balance due to foreign currency translation	1,402,000	0		0
Net Change Real Estate Loans Receivable	6,412,000	13,801,000		(132,268,000)
Seniors Housing Operating [Member]
Advances on real estate loans receivable:
Investments in new loans		580,834,000	[1]
Draws on existing loans		0	[1]
Sub-total		580,834,000	[1]
Less: Seller financing on loans receivable		0	[1]
Net cash advances on real estate loans		580,834,000	[1]
Receipts on real estate loans receivable:
Loan payoffs		0	[1]
Principal payments on loans		0	[1]
Total receipts on real estate loans		0	[1]
Net advances (receipts) on real estate loans		580,834,000	[1]
Change in balance due to foreign currency translation		0	[1]
Net Change Real Estate Loans Receivable		$ 580,834,000	[1]

[1] Represents loan to Sunrise Senior Living, Inc. that was acquired upon merger consummation on January 9, 2013 as discussed in Note 3.