Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule of Variable Interest Entities) (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Sycamore Street [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	$ 0
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	3,930
Straight-Line Rent Receivable [Member] | Bickford Senior Living [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	5,095
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	17,595
Straight-Line Rent Receivable [Member] | East Lake Capital [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	1,236
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	1,236
Straight-Line Rent Receivable [Member] | Ensign Group Developer [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	0
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0
Straight-Line Rent Receivable [Member] | Senior Living Management [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	13,665
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	25,670
Notes Receivable [Member] | Senior Living Communities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	24,256
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	43,136
Notes Receivable [Member] | Life Care Services [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	127,324
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	$ 154,500