Dispositions, Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Real property dispositions:
Total dispositions	$ 120,420,000hcn_RealPropertyDispositions	$ 0hcn_RealPropertyDispositions
Net loss (gain) on sales of properties	(56,845,000)us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties	0us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties
Noncash disposition activity		0
Real property held for sale, net of accumulated depreciation	234,829,000us-gaap_RealEstateHeldforsale		323,818,000us-gaap_RealEstateHeldforsale
Proceeds from sales of real property	177,265,000	0
Gain (loss) on sales of properties, net	56,845,000
Escrow Deposits Related To Property Sales	19,493,000,000
Triple Net [Member]
Real property dispositions:
Total dispositions	110,998,000	0
Net loss (gain) on sales of properties	6,411,000
Real property held for sale, net of accumulated depreciation	18,502,000
Outpatient Medical [Member]
Real property dispositions:
Total dispositions	$ 9,422,000	$ 0

Real property dispositions.

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- Definition

Amount of gain (loss), after tax expense or benefit and not previously recognized, resulting from the sale of a business component.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 3

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- Definition

Escrow deposits related to property sales in noncash investing and financing activities.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

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- 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

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-Publisher FASB

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-Topic 230

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Amount of noncash consideration received for selling an asset or business through a noncash (or part noncash) transaction.

+ References

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- Definition

The cash inflow from the sale of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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-Glossary Investing Activities

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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of investments in land and buildings held for sale, excluding real estate considered to be inventory of the entity.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

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-Topic 944

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-Section S99

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-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(f))

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