Description of Business (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 State Property
Description of Business (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of real estate properties	1,361
Number of states	46
Number of Canadian provinces	2
Senior Housing Communities [Member]
Description of Business (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of real estate properties	673
Number of independent third party managed properties	199
Skilled Nursing Facilities [Member]
Description of Business (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of real estate properties	398
Hospitals [Member]
Description of Business (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of real estate properties	47
Medical Office Buildings [Member]
Description of Business (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of real estate properties	243
Triple Net Leases [Member]
Description of Business (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of properties leased	927