Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures - Combined Financial Information for the unconsolidated joint ventures(Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summarized combined financial information for equity method investments:
Real estate, net	$ 4,470,249		$ 4,470,249	$ 4,537,553
Goodwill and other assets, net	4,935,343		4,935,343	4,920,604
Assets held for sale	94,866		94,866	662,740
Total assets	9,500,458		9,500,458	10,120,897
Capital lease obligations and mortgage debt	6,575,531		6,575,531	6,733,943
Accounts payable	1,111,350		1,111,350	974,206
Liabilities and mortgage debt held for sale	6,318		6,318	505,703
Other partners' capital	1,163,501		1,163,501	1,281,413
HCP's capital	643,758		643,758	625,632
Total liabilities and partners' capital	9,500,458		9,500,458	10,120,897
Combined basis difference	39,000		39,000
Total revenues			4,464,317	4,284,747	$ 4,189,793
Income (loss) from discontinued operations			38,071	(24,422)	(22,030)
Net loss			(83,277)	(411,385)	(354,079)
HCP's share of earnings			57,313	49,570	64,433
Fees earned by HCP			1,873	1,809	1,847
Distributions received by HCP			46,100	7,702	18,091
Goodwill, Impairment Loss			0
Valuation allowance	531		531	88
Subsequent Events
Other than temporary impairment charge			45,895	35,913
HCRMC
Summarized combined financial information for equity method investments:
HCP's share of earnings			50,723	53,175	55,601
Subsequent Events
Other than temporary impairment charge	$ 19,000	$ 27,000	19,000	36,000
HCRMC | Post-acute/skilled
Summarized combined financial information for equity method investments:
Goodwill, Impairment Loss			79,000
Intangible assets, Impairment loss				396,000
Valuation allowance					400,000
Recharacterized DFL income to equity income			$ 58,000	$ 62,000	$ 62,000
Subsequent Events
Investment ownership percentage	9.00%		9.00%