DISPOSITIONS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Feb. 29, 2012 2012 Dispositions Seniors housing communities property	Mar. 31, 2012 2012 Dispositions Seniors housing communities property Y	Dec. 31, 2011 2011 Dispositions	Dec. 31, 2011 2011 Dispositions Seniors housing communities property	Dec. 31, 2011 2011 Dispositions Skilled nursing facilities property
Results of operations for all assets held-for-sale or disposed
Number of real estate properties sold			9			2	2
Proceeds from sale of real estate properties			$ 121,300,000		$ 20,600,000
Lease termination fees			1,800,000
Purchase price of seniors housing asset	37,800,000
Gain from sale of assets				55,200,000
Deferred gain from the sale of assets due to loan provided to Brookdale Senior Living in conjunction with sale				15,000,000
Loan made in conjunction with the sale				15,000,000
Recognition period of deferred gain on sale of seniors housing communities (in years)				2
Properties classified as held for sale				9
Revenues:
Rental income	2,793,000	2,029,000
Resident fees and services	2,009,000	0
Interest and other income	1,819,000	0
Total Revenues	6,621,000	2,029,000
Expenses:
Interest	982,000	818,000
Depreciation and amortization	1,439,000	445,000
Property-level operating expenses	1,556,000	0
General, administrative and professional fees	1,000	0
Other	580,000	0
Total expenses	4,558,000	1,263,000
Income before gain on sale of real estate assets	2,063,000	766,000
Income tax benefit	33,000	0
Gain on sale of real estate assets	40,233,000	0
Discontinued operations	$ 42,329,000	$ 766,000