Disclosure about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details Textuals) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Disclosure about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) [Abstract]
Other than temporary asset impairment charges	$ 35,648

Other than temporary asset impairment charges on the Genesis Healthcare stock investment for Available for sale equity investment.

No definition available.

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