Carrying value of properties contributed to joint venture.

No definition available.

Name:	hcp_CarryingValueOfPropertiesContributedToJointVenture
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt related to retirement communities or properties contributed to joint venture.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_DebtRelatedToRetirementCommunitiesOrPropertiesContributedToJointVenture
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of facility units to be built.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The number of continuing care retirement communities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number of retirement communities contributed to joint venture.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents number of unconsolidated joint ventures between entity and an institutional capital partner.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Fair value of retirement communities or properties contributed to joint venture.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_RetirementCommunitiesOrPropertiesContributedToJointVentureFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

-Paragraph 32

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49116238&loc=d3e32787-111569

+ Details

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

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total investments in (A) an entity in which the entity has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method, and (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. Includes long-term advances receivable from a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Definition

The total number of new claims filed pertaining to a loss contingency during the period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow from the acquisition of real estate intended to generate income for the owner; excludes land acquired for use by the owner.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the purchase of real estate held-for-investment and real estate joint ventures.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Details) $ in Thousands					3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2015 USD ($) item	Apr. 20, 2015 claim	Mar. 30, 2015 USD ($) property	Aug. 29, 2014 USD ($) property	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures					$ 607,790	$ 607,790	$ 605,448
Number of unconsolidated joint ventures \| item						3
Cash paid						$ 770,325
Impairments of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures					(27,234)	$ (27,234)
Brookdale Senior Living
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Number of retirement communities contributed to joint venture \| property				8
CCRC JV
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Debt related to retirement communities or properties contributed				$ 569,000
CCRC JV \| Senior housing
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Carrying value of properties contributed				92,000
MBK Development JV
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Payment to acquire land	$ 3,000
Number of units to be built \| item	74
Brookdale Senior Living
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Cash paid				$ 370,000
Number of retirement communities contributed to joint venture \| property				2
Fair value of retirement communities or properties contributed				$ 162,000
Carrying value of properties contributed				$ 92,000
Brookdale Senior Living \| CCRC JV
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Number of unconsolidated joint ventures \| item						2
CCRC JV Investment [Member] \| Senior housing
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures					$ 447,658	$ 447,658
Investment ownership percentage					49.00%	49.00%
HCRMC
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
New cases filed \| claim		3
HCRMC \| Post-acute/skilled
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures					$ 21,238	$ 21,238
Investment ownership percentage					9.00%	9.00%
MBK JV and MBK Development JV
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Number of unconsolidated joint ventures \| item						2
MBK JV
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Debt related to retirement communities or properties contributed			$ 78,000
MBK JV \| Senior housing
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures					$ 26,400	$ 26,400
Investment ownership percentage			50.00%		50.00%	50.00%
Number of campuses \| property			3
Cash paid			$ 27,000
MBK JV \| MBK Senior Living [Member] \| Senior housing
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Number of retirement communities contributed to joint venture \| property			3
Fair value of retirement communities or properties contributed			$ 126,000
MBK Development JV
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures					$ 1,824	$ 1,824
Investment ownership percentage					50.00%	50.00%
HCP Ventures III, LLC \| Medical office
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures					$ 6,329	$ 6,329
Investment ownership percentage					30.00%	30.00%
HCP Ventures IV \| Hospital and medical office segments
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures					$ 24,705	$ 24,705
Investment ownership percentage					20.00%	20.00%
HCP Life Science \| Life science
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures					$ 68,834	$ 68,834
Number of unconsolidated joint ventures \| item						3
HCP Life Science \| Life science \| Minimum
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage					50.00%	50.00%
HCP Life Science \| Life science \| Maximum
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage					63.00%	63.00%
Torrey Pines Science Center, LP
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage					50.00%	50.00%
Torrey Pines Science Center, LP \| Life science
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage					50.00%	50.00%
Britannia Biotech Gateway, LP
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage					55.00%	55.00%
Britannia Biotech Gateway, LP \| Life science
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage					55.00%	55.00%
LASDK, LP
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage					63.00%	63.00%
LASDK, LP \| Life science
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investment ownership percentage					63.00%	63.00%
Vintage Park \| Senior housing
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures					$ 5,745	$ 5,745
Investment ownership percentage					85.00%	85.00%
Suburban Properties, LLC \| Medical office
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures					$ 4,861	$ 4,861
Investment ownership percentage					67.00%	67.00%
Advances to unconsolidated joint ventures, net
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures					$ 196	$ 196
RIDEA I OpCo \| CCRC JV
Company owned interests in entities, accounted under equity method:
Number of campuses \| property				14