CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK (Details)			9 Months Ended						3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 state province Item	Sep. 30, 2012 Seniors housing communities property	Sep. 30, 2012 Total gross book value of properties Seniors housing communities	Sep. 30, 2012 Total gross book value of properties Skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, MOBs and other healthcare assets	Sep. 30, 2012 Total gross book value of properties ATRIA	Sep. 30, 2012 Total gross book value of properties SUNRISE	Sep. 30, 2012 Total gross book value of properties Brookdale Senior Living	Sep. 30, 2012 Total gross book value of properties KINDRED	Sep. 30, 2012 Total revenues Brookdale Senior Living	Sep. 30, 2011 Total revenues Brookdale Senior Living	Sep. 30, 2012 Total revenues KINDRED	Sep. 30, 2011 Total revenues KINDRED	Sep. 30, 2012 Total NOI Minimum California state
Concentration of credit risk
Percentage of real estate investments based on gross book value			62.60%	37.40%	17.90%	15.30%	10.80%	4.60%
Number of states accounting for more than 10% of total revenues													1
Percentage of total revenues derived by third party									6.50%	7.80%	10.20%	11.30%
Percentage of net operating income derived from lease agreements									10.80%	12.50%	16.90%	18.30%
Real estate properties
Number of seniors housing communities under long-term management agreements		212
Number of states	46
Number of Canadian provinces	2
Number of private equity firms	3