Cover Page - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Aug. 04, 2023
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2023
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-32641
Entity Registrant Name	BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-3068069
Entity Address, Address Line One	111 Westwood Place,
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 400,
Entity Address, City or Town	Brentwood,
Entity Address, State or Province	TN
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	37027
City Area Code	615
Local Phone Number	221-2250
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		188,224,327
Entity Central Index Key	0001332349
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Common stock:
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value Per Share
Entity Trading Symbol	BKD
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Tangible Equity Units, 7.00%
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) security	7.00% Tangible Equity Units
Entity Trading Symbol	BKDT
Security Exchange Name	NYSE