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

- Definition

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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of minimum lease payments to be received by the lessor for capital leases.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496975&loc=d3e45377-112738

+ Details

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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of minimum lease payments to be received by the lessor for capital leases in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of minimum lease payments to be received by the lessor for capital leases after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of minimum lease payments to be received by the lessor for capital leases in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of minimum lease payments to be received by the lessor for capital leases in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of minimum lease payments to be received by the lessor for capital leases in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of minimum lease payments to be received by the lessor for capital leases in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Revenue realized in the period on direct financing leases.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

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.

+ References

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

+ Details

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

- Definition

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.

+ References

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

+ Details

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

- Definition

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.

+ References

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

+ Details

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

- Definition

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.

+ References

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

+ Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

Net Investment in Direct Financing Leases (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 item
Net Investment in Direct Financing Leases
Minimum lease payments receivable	$ 1,108,237	$ 1,155,215
Estimated residual values	539,656	535,161
Less unearned income	(895,304)	(939,683)
Net investment in direct financing leases	$ 752,589	$ 750,693
Properties subject to direct financing leases \| item	30	30
Percentage of DFL Portfolio	100.00%
DFL income	$ 59,580	$ 61,000	$ 64,441
Capital leases future minimum payments receivable
2017	91,770
2018	66,121
2019	67,526
2020	62,234
2021	62,641
Thereafter	757,945
Total	1,108,237
HCRMC
Net Investment in Direct Financing Leases
Net investment in direct financing leases		5,200,000
DFL income	385,000	573,000	599,000
DFL Portfolio
Net Investment in Direct Financing Leases
DFL income	13,000	15,000	19,000
Cash income	18,000	20,000	$ 24,000
DFL Portfolio \| HCRMC
Net Investment in Direct Financing Leases
Net investment in direct financing leases		5,200,000		$ 6,000,000	$ 6,100,000	$ 6,600,000
Performing Loans
Net Investment in Direct Financing Leases
Net investment in direct financing leases	391,788
Watch List Loans
Net Investment in Direct Financing Leases
Net investment in direct financing leases	360,801
Senior housing \| DFL Portfolio
Net Investment in Direct Financing Leases
Net investment in direct financing leases	361,000	$ 366,000
Properties subject to direct financing leases \| item							14
SH NNN
Net Investment in Direct Financing Leases
Net investment in direct financing leases	$ 628,698
Percentage of DFL Portfolio	84.00%
SH NNN \| Performing Loans
Net Investment in Direct Financing Leases
Net investment in direct financing leases	$ 267,897
SH NNN \| Watch List Loans
Net Investment in Direct Financing Leases
Net investment in direct financing leases	360,801
Other
Net Investment in Direct Financing Leases
Net investment in direct financing leases	$ 123,891
Percentage of DFL Portfolio	16.00%
Other \| Performing Loans
Net Investment in Direct Financing Leases
Net investment in direct financing leases	$ 123,891