Net Investment in Direct Financing Leases - Components of Net Investment in DFLs (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) property	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) property
Leases, Capital [Abstract]
Minimum lease payments receivable	$ 1,062,452	$ 1,108,237
Estimated residual value	504,457	539,656
Less unearned income	(852,557)	(895,304)
Net investment in direct financing leases	$ 714,352	$ 752,589
Properties subject to direct financing leases \| property	29	30

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

No definition available.

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

- 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=84165051&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=84165051&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=84165051&loc=d3e45377-112738

+ Details

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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- 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=84165051&loc=d3e45377-112738

+ Details

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