Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule of Variable Interest Entities) (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Ensign Group [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] | Bickford / Sycamore [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	13,913
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	35,717
Straight-Line Rent Receivable [Member] | Senior Living Communities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	35,247
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	48,610
Straight-Line Rent Receivable [Member] | East Lake Capital [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	2,467
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	2,467
Straight-Line Rent Receivable [Member] | Senior Living Management [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	25,784
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	25,875
Straight-Line Rent Receivable [Member] | Ravn Senior Solutions [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	101
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	101
Notes Receivable [Member] | Life Care Services [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	69,244
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	$ 78,280