Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	Sep. 30, 2012 item
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Number of senior living communities operated in a RIDEA structure	21

The number of senior living communities operated in RIDEA structure in which the entity has interest under a joint venture agreement.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_InvestmentsInJointVenturesSeniorLivingCommunitiesOperatedInRIDEAStructureNumber
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant