Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Equity allocation
Balance	$ 463,108
Net income	12,976	12,932
Issue common stock	4,293
Vested restricted common stock	985	452
Stock option exercises	523
Reclassification adjustment	(9)	(13)
Non-controlling interest preferred return	(7)	(48)
Preferred stock dividends	(818)	(818)
Common stock dividends	(14,217)
Other	(23)
Balance	466,811
LTC Properties, Inc. Stockholders' Equity
Equity allocation
Balance	463,101
Net income	12,976
Issue common stock	4,293
Vested restricted common stock	985
Stock option exercises	523
Reclassification adjustment	(9)
Preferred stock dividends	(818)
Common stock dividends	(14,217)
Other	(23)
Balance	466,811
Non-controlling Interests
Equity allocation
Balance	7
Non-controlling interest preferred return	$ (7)