Real Estate Investments - Development and Improvement Projects (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Real estate investments
Invested in projects	$ 18,239
Development | Development and Improvement Commitments
Real estate investments
Invested in projects	9,155	$ 26,331
Improvements | Development and Improvement Commitments
Real estate investments
Invested in projects	2,195	4,087
ALF | Development | Development and Improvement Commitments
Real estate investments
Invested in projects	7,198	26,331
ALF | Improvements | Development and Improvement Commitments
Real estate investments
Invested in projects	839	1,293
SNF | Development | Development and Improvement Commitments
Real estate investments
Invested in projects	1,957
SNF | Improvements | Development and Improvement Commitments
Real estate investments
Invested in projects	$ 1,356	$ 2,794