Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended					6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013 properties	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 properties	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 28, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Acquisition Bickford Senior Living [Member] properties	Jun. 30, 2013 Debt Instrument, Name, Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Jun. 28, 2013 Debt Instrument, Name, Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Debt Instrument, Name, 7 Year Term Loan [Member]	Jun. 28, 2013 Debt Instrument, Name, 7 Year Term Loan [Member]	Jun. 28, 2013 Debt Instrument, Name, Fannie Mae (A) [Member]	Jun. 28, 2013 Debt Instrument, Name, Fannie Mae (B) [Member]	May 01, 2012 Line of Credit Facility, 2012 Modification [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity					$ 370,000,000									$ 320,000,000
Long-term Debt, Gross												71,458,000	7,271,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage												6.85%	7.17%
Term Loans, Outstanding Balance											120,000,000
Debt Maturity, Years								5		7
Credit Facility, Current Revolving Borrowing Capacity									250,000,000
Number of basis points over LIBOR			19					140		150
Unused balance of the unsecured revolving credit facility								83,000,000
Number of Real Estate Properties	126		126				2
Bank term loans - secured	19,250,000		19,250,000			19,250,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate							300.00%
Revolving credit facility interest rate							3.19%
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax	$ (837,000)	$ 907,000	$ (1,107,000)	$ 907,000