Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 5) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 item	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 Five Star item	Dec. 31, 2012 Senior living communities Five Star item	Sep. 30, 2012 Senior living communities Five Star item
DEFERRED LEASING COSTS
Unamortized gross balance of deferred leasing costs	$ 6,917	$ 4,663
Accumulated amortization	1,793	902
Weighted average amortization period for deferred leasing cost	6 years 4 months 24 days
Expected amortization expense for the five years
Expected amortization expense, 2013	1,017
Expected amortization expense, 2014	946
Expected amortization expense, 2015	843
Expected amortization expense, 2016	674
Expected amortization expense, 2017	530
Expected amortization expense, after 2017	1,114
Revenue Recognition
Percentage rents earned	$ 10,859	$ 11,313	$ 10,315
Number of properties acquired or agreed to be acquired					39
Number of properties acquired, referred to as managed properties				39	29
Number of real estate properties leased					10	188
Income taxes
Percentage of likelihood of realization that the tax position must exceed in order for the amount to be recognized	50.00%
Segment Reporting
Number of operating segments	3