Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures - Combined Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Summarized combined financial information for equity method investments:
Real estate, net		$ 4,987,309		$ 4,987,309		$ 5,134,587
Goodwill and other assets, net		5,238,342		5,238,342		4,986,310
Total assets		10,225,651		10,225,651		10,120,897
Capital lease obligations and mortgage debt		7,205,096		7,205,096		7,197,940
Accounts payable		1,139,955		1,139,955		1,015,912
Other partners' capital		1,241,809		1,241,809		1,281,413
HCP's capital		638,791		638,791		625,632
Total liabilities and partners' capital		10,225,651		10,225,651		$ 10,120,897
Combined basis difference		31,000		31,000
Total revenues		1,126,797	$ 1,082,110	3,435,943	$ 3,209,039
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		2,100	2,000	(3,900)	(6,800)
Net loss		(65,819)	(702)	(77,529)	(4,826)
HCP's share of earnings		8,314	10,168	33,916	39,388
Fees earned by HCP		454	447	1,372	1,340
Distributions received by HCP		16,186	2,113	20,673	5,881
Subsequent Events
Other than temporary impairment charge		27,234		27,234
HCRMC | Subsequent event
Subsequent Events
Investment ownership percentage	9.00%
Other than temporary impairment charge	$ 27,000
HCRMC | Post-acute/skilled
Summarized combined financial information for equity method investments:
Recharacterized DFL income to equity income		$ 14,000	$ 16,000	$ 44,000	$ 47,000
Subsequent Events
Investment ownership percentage		9.00%		9.00%