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

No definition available.

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

- Definition

Preferred Equity Method Investment, Return Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hcp_PreferredEquityMethodInvestmentReturnPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	hcp_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of properties held for sale at the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of write-down of assets recognized in the income statement. Includes, but is not limited to, losses from tangible assets, intangible assets and goodwill.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109226348&loc=d3e2420-110228

+ Details

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

- 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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 35
-Paragraph 32
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118954474&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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114001798&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

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

- Definition

The difference between the carrying value and the sale price of real estate or properties that were intended to be sold or held for capital appreciation or rental income. This element refers to the gain (loss) included in earnings and not to the cash proceeds of the sale. This element is a noncash adjustment to net income when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109226691&loc=d3e2941-110230

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109226348&loc=d3e2443-110228

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of investment in equity method investee and investment in and advance to affiliate.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-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

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

- Definition

The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the sale of equity method investments, which are investments in joint ventures and entities in which the entity has an equity ownership interest normally of 20 to 50 percent and exercises significant influence.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfEquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2019 USD ($) property joint_venture	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) property joint_venture	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) property joint_venture	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) joint_venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures				$ 505,245	$ 505,245		$ 540,088
Impairments (recoveries), net					$ 115,653	$ 19,180
Impairment charge				$ 6,000
CCRC JV
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Property count \| property				15	15
Investment ownership percentage				49.00%	49.00%
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures				$ 334,546	$ 334,546		365,764
Number of properties classified as held for sale \| property				1	1
Impairment charge				$ 12,000
UK JV
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Property count \| property				68	68
Investment ownership percentage				49.00%	49.00%
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures				$ 98,692	$ 98,692		101,735
MBK JV
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Property count \| property				5	5
Investment ownership percentage				50.00%	50.00%
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures				$ 33,814	$ 33,814		35,435
Other SHOP JVs
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Property count \| property				4	4
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures				$ 26,733	$ 26,733		25,493
Other SHOP JVs \| Minimum
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment ownership percentage				41.00%	41.00%
Other SHOP JVs \| Maximum
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment ownership percentage				90.00%	90.00%
Waldwick
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment ownership percentage				85.00%	85.00%
Otay Ranch
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment ownership percentage				90.00%	90.00%
MBK Development JV
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment ownership percentage				50.00%	50.00%
Discovery Naples JV
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment ownership percentage				41.00%	41.00%
Investment return percentage		10.00%
Discovery Sarasota JV
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment ownership percentage				47.00%	47.00%
Medical Office JVs
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Property count \| property				3	3
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures				$ 9,890	$ 9,890		10,160
Number of unconsolidated joint ventures (in joint ventures) \| joint_venture				3	3
Medical Office JVs \| Minimum
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment ownership percentage				20.00%	20.00%
Medical Office JVs \| Maximum
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment ownership percentage				67.00%	67.00%
HCP Ventures IV, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment ownership percentage				20.00%	20.00%
HCP Ventures III, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment ownership percentage				30.00%	30.00%
Suburban Properties, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment ownership percentage				67.00%	67.00%
K&Y JVs
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Property count \| property				3	3
Investment ownership percentage				80.00%	80.00%
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures				$ 1,545	$ 1,545		$ 1,430
Number of unconsolidated joint ventures (in joint ventures) \| joint_venture				2	2		3
Advances to unconsolidated joint ventures, net
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures				$ 25	$ 25		$ 71
Subsequent Event \| CCRC JV
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment ownership percentage	49.00%
Subsequent Event \| UK JV
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment ownership percentage	49.00%
Proceeds from sale of equity method investments	$ 90,000
Subsequent Event \| K&Y JVs
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of unconsolidated joint ventures (in joint ventures) \| joint_venture	1
Proceeds from sale of equity method investments	$ 4,000
Brookedale MTCA \| Subsequent Event \| CCRC JV
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment ownership percentage	51.00%
CCRC JV \| Brookedale MTCA \| Subsequent Event
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Property count \| property	15
CCRC JV \| Assets Leased to Others \| Other Non-Reporting Segment [Member] \| Subsequent Event
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Property count \| property	15
CCRC JV \| Assets Leased to Others \| Other Non-Reporting Segment [Member] \| Brookedale MTCA \| Subsequent Event
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Property count \| property	13
Forecast \| UK JV
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Loss on sale			$ 8,000