Name:	hcp_AnnualRentReductionOnSoldPropertiesAsPercentOfSalesProceeds
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the total average lease term of asset pools.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_AssetPoolsAverageLeaseTerm
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the proceeds from direct financing leases during the reporting period.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_CapitalLeasesProceedsFromDirectFinancingLeaseRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The annual increase in the rental factor after the specified first period.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_DirectFinancingLeaseRentalFactorAnnualIncreaseAsPercent
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The percentage applied to the base, during the first specified period, in order to determine the payment of deferred rent.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_DirectFinancingLeaseRentalFactorFirstPeriodAsPercent
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The percentage applied to the base, during the fourth specified period, in order to determine the payment of deferred rent

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_DirectFinancingLeaseRentalFactorFourthPeriodAsPercent
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The percentage applied to the base, during the second specified period, in order to determine the payment of deferred rent.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_DirectFinancingLeaseRentalFactorSecondPeriodAsPercent
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The percentage applied to the base, during the third specified period, in order to determine the payment of deferred rent.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_DirectFinancingLeaseRentalFactorThirdPeriodAsPercent
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The total amount of lease revenue expected to recognized for the period for which the lessee will be obligated under leasing arrangements regardless of any other events or conditions. This amount excludes contingent revenue and sublease revenue.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_ExpectedAnnualRent
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The increase in total rent from one period to another (as a percent).

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_IncreaseInRentAsPercent
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the rate of increase in minimum lease revenue per year over the specified term.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_MinimumLeaseRevenueRateOfIncreasePerYearSpecifiedTerm
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the net amount of investment in direct financing and sales-type leases held in portfolio as a percentage of aggregate direct financing and sales-type leases.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_NetInvestmentInDirectFinancingAndSalesTypeLeasesAsPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Represents the total number of facilities.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_NumberOfFacilities
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The number of non-strategic assets involved in a sales transaction.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_NumberOfNonStrategicAssetsInvolvedInSalesTransaction
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The number of years for which the initial term is extended.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_PeriodOfExtensionOfInitialTermOfLease
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Number of properties with direct financing leases at the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

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

The amount of reduction in initial net annual rent due to the amendment of the Master lease agreement.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_ReductionInInitialNetAnnualRentDueToLeaseAmendment
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount equal to the present value (the principal) at the beginning of the lease term of minimum lease payments during the lease term (excluding that portion of the payments representing executory costs such as insurance, maintenance, and taxes to be paid by the lessor, together with any profit thereon) net of payments or other amounts applied to the principal through the balance sheet date.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6455398&loc=d3e45280-112737

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 7

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligations
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Revenue realized in the period on direct financing leases.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeasesIncomeStatementDirectFinancingLeaseRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeasesNetInvestmentInDirectFinancingLeasesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The remaining (unamortized) difference between the gross investment in a direct financing lease and the cost or carrying amount, if different, of the leased property as of the balance sheet date.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)(4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496975&loc=d3e45377-112738

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeasesNetInvestmentInDirectFinancingLeasesDeferredIncome
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of remaining payments as of the balance sheet date that lessees are obligated to make or can be required to make under direct financing leases, including any guarantee of residual value and executory costs. The amount also includes any guaranteed rental payments by an unrelated third-party provided that are financially capable of making such payments.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496975&loc=d3e45377-112738

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeasesNetInvestmentInDirectFinancingLeasesMinimumPaymentsToBeReceived
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The estimate of the lease property's economic value at the end of the direct financing lease term excluding any amounts guaranteed by either the lessee or a third-party.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496975&loc=d3e45377-112738

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeasesNetInvestmentInDirectFinancingLeasesUnguaranteedResidualValuesOfLeasedProperty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The adjustment to reduce the value of existing agreements that specify the lessee's rights to use the leased property. This expense is charged when the estimates of future profits generated by the leased property are reduced.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=8077374&loc=d3e2420-110228

Name:	us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLeasehold
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The net amount due as of the balance sheet date consisting of: (a) minimum lease payments due on direct financing and sales-type leases, (b) unguaranteed residual value, and (c) any unamortized initial direct costs on direct financing leases; less: (i) executory costs, (ii) unearned income, and (iii) the accumulated allowance for uncollectible minimum lease payments.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496975&loc=d3e45377-112738

Name:	us-gaap_NetInvestmentInDirectFinancingAndSalesTypeLeases
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The total amount of lease revenue recognized for the period for which the lessee was obligated under leasing arrangements regardless of any other events or conditions. This amount excludes contingent revenue and sublease revenue.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 20

-Section 25

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7501430&loc=d3e39896-112707

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementMinimumLeaseRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Minimum amount of other commitment not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Excludes commitments explicitly modeled in the taxonomy, including but not limited to, long-term and short-term purchase commitments, recorded and unrecorded purchase obligations, supply commitments, registration payment arrangements, leases, debt, product warranties, guarantees, environmental remediation obligations, and pensions.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_OtherCommitment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis=hcp_HcrmcAsParticipantInLeaseAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis=hcp_DirectFinancingLeaseTrancheMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis=hcp_DirectFinancingLeaseTrancheBMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	invest_InvestmentAxis=hcp_DFLPortfolioMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis=us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis=hcp_WatchListFinancingReceivableMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=hcp_SeniorHousingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=hcp_PostAcuteAndSkilledNursingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=hcp_HospitalMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=hcp_HCRManorCareIncMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: