Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	$ 412,011	$ 389,753	$ 348,455
Income taxes paid	114	1,790	1,710
Capitalized interest	13,494	23,360	26,402
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities:
Accrued construction costs	15,187	14,157	11,525
Reclassification of the in-place leases from real estate to DFLs	123,891
Fair value of real estate acquired in exchange for sale of real estate	15,204
Settlement of loans receivable as consideration for the HCR ManorCare Acquisition			1,990,406
Supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activities:
Vesting of restricted stock units	471	707	228
Cancellation of restricted stock	20	8	35
Conversion of non-managing member units into common stock	3,583	24,988	3,456
Noncontrolling interests issued in connection with acquisitions		42,734	1,500
Mortgages included in the consolidation of HCP Ventures II			635,182
Mortgages and other liabilities assumed with real estate acquisitions	12,767	60,597	57,869
Unrealized gains (losses), net on available for sale securities and derivatives designated as cash flow hedges	$ 7,790	$ 4,649	$ (9,763)