DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS (Details)	Mar. 31, 2012 province state property
Description of Business
Number of real estate properties	1,370
Number of states	46
Number of Canadian provinces	2
Number of properties leased	919
Seniors housing communities
Description of Business
Number of real estate properties	670
Number of independent third party managed properties	201
Skilled nursing facilities
Description of Business
Number of real estate properties	403
Hospitals
Description of Business
Number of real estate properties	47
Medical office buildings
Description of Business
Number of real estate properties	250
Development projects
Description of Business
Number of real estate properties	4