Loan Receivable (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2012 Five Star	Sep. 30, 2011 Five Star	Sep. 30, 2012 Five Star	Sep. 30, 2011 Five Star	May 31, 2011 Five Star Maximum	Dec. 31, 2011 Five Star Senior living communities	Sep. 30, 2011 Five Star Senior living communities	May 31, 2011 Five Star Senior living communities item	Sep. 30, 2012 Five Star Senior living communities item
Loans Receivable
Amount agreed to be lend under Bridge Loan Agreement									$ 80,000
Number of properties funded under Bridge Loan												6
Amount borrowed under the Bridge Loan											80,000
Amount repaid by borrower					38,000					42,000
Number of properties mortgaged, acquired by borrower													3
Number of properties mortgaged, owned by borrower													4
Spread over annual rates of interest applicable to borrowings under revolving credit facility (as a percent)							1.00%
Interest income recognized	$ 248	$ 394	$ 957	$ 870		$ 187	$ 314	$ 245