Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures - Combined Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Summarized combined financial information for equity method investments:
Real estate, net	$ 5,219,661		$ 5,219,661		$ 5,134,587
Goodwill and other assets, net	5,065,096		5,065,096		4,986,310
Total assets	10,284,757		10,284,757		10,120,897
Capital lease obligations and mortgage debt	7,210,974		7,210,974		7,197,940
Accounts payable	1,127,561		1,127,561		1,015,912
Other partners' capital	1,299,578		1,299,578		1,281,413
HCP's capital	646,644		646,644		625,632
Total liabilities and partners' capital	10,284,757		10,284,757		$ 10,120,897
Combined basis difference	5,000		5,000
Total revenues	1,142,647	$ 1,059,455	2,309,127	$ 2,126,943
Loss from discontinued operations	(7,100)	(6,200)	(6,000)	(8,800)
Net loss	(21,528)	(11,834)	(11,730)	(3,973)
HCP's share of earnings	12,001	14,692	25,602	29,220
Fees earned by HCP	458	444	918	893
Distributions received by HCP	2,306	566	4,487	3,768
HCRMC | Post-acute/skilled
Summarized combined financial information for equity method investments:
Recharacterized DFL income to equity income	$ 15,000	$ 16,000	$ 30,000	$ 31,000