Major Customer - NHC (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012 properties	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 properties	Jun. 30, 2011
Number of Real Estate Properties	98		98
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	$ 18,843,000	$ 18,565,000	$ 40,150,000	$ 37,494,000
National HealthCare Corporation [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	41		41
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue			$ 18,743,000	$ 18,317,000
Percent of rental income recognized from tenants			47.00%	49.00%
Number of additional lease renewal options	3		3
Term of the lease renewal option period in years	5		5
Percentage Rent Rate			0.04
Subleased Facilities [Member] | National HealthCare Corporation [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	4		4