FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,711	$ 351	$ 6,921	$ 2,170
Restricted cash	36,660	34,112
Mortgage notes receivable - net	238,621	238,675
Other investments - net	47,339	52,957
Liabilities:
Revolving line of credit	258,000	272,500
HUD debt	366,538	303,610
Carrying Amount
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1,711	351
Restricted cash	36,660	34,112
Mortgage notes receivable - net	238,621	238,675
Other investments - net	47,339	52,957
Totals	324,331	326,095
Liabilities:
Revolving line of credit	258,000	272,500
HUD debt	366,538	303,610
Subordinated debt	21,049	21,219
Totals	1,824,932	1,551,400
Carrying Amount | 7% 2016 Notes
Liabilities:
Notes Payable		174,376
Carrying Amount | 7.50% Notes due 2020
Liabilities:
Notes Payable	197,546	197,202
Carrying Amount | 6.75% Notes due 2022
Liabilities:
Notes Payable	581,799	582,493
Carrying Amount | 5.875% Notes due 2024
Liabilities:
Notes Payable	400,000
Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1,711	351
Restricted cash	36,660	34,112
Mortgage notes receivable - net	235,705	241,494
Other investments - net	44,077	48,903
Totals	318,153	324,860
Liabilities:
Revolving line of credit	258,000	272,500
HUD debt	433,803	321,949
Subordinated debt	27,896	23,198
Totals	2,138,063	1,602,843
Fair Value | 7% 2016 Notes
Liabilities:
Notes Payable		186,398
Fair Value | 7.50% Notes due 2020
Liabilities:
Notes Payable	252,363	216,114
Fair Value | 6.75% Notes due 2022
Liabilities:
Notes Payable	724,240	582,684
Fair Value | 5.875% Notes due 2024
Liabilities:
Notes Payable	$ 441,761