DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS (Details)	Sep. 30, 2012 province state property
Description of Business
Number of real estate properties	1,450
Number of states	46
Number of Canadian provinces	2
Number of properties leased	913
Seniors housing communities
Description of Business
Number of real estate properties	677
Number of independent third party managed properties	215
Skilled nursing facilities
Description of Business
Number of real estate properties	404
Hospitals
Description of Business
Number of real estate properties	47
Medical office buildings
Description of Business
Number of real estate properties	322
Development projects
Description of Business
Number of real estate properties	5