Segment Disclosures (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Disclosure
Assets held for sale, net			$ 9,819
Total assets	20,144,169	[1]	20,075,870	[1]
Goodwill	50,346		50,346
Operating segment
Segment Disclosure
Gross assets	21,802,952		21,381,636
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(2,417,853)		(2,254,591)
Total assets	19,385,099		19,127,045
Operating segment | Senior housing
Segment Disclosure
Gross assets	8,046,417		7,803,085
Goodwill	31,000		31,000
Operating segment | Post-acute/skilled nursing
Segment Disclosure
Gross assets	6,335,887		6,266,938
Goodwill	3,000		3,000
Operating segment | Life science
Segment Disclosure
Gross assets	4,078,119		3,986,187
Operating segment | Medical office
Segment Disclosure
Gross assets	2,702,584		2,686,069
Goodwill	11,000		11,000
Operating segment | Hospital
Segment Disclosure
Gross assets	639,945		639,357
Goodwill	5,000		5,000
Other non-segment
Segment Disclosure
Total assets	$ 759,070		$ 939,006

[1] The Company's consolidated total assets at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 each include $1 million of other assets of certain variable interest entities ("VIEs") that can only be used to settle the liabilities of those VIEs. See Note 16 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.