Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues:
Rental income	$ 912,712		$ 558,191		$ 474,615
Resident fees and services	456,085		51,006		0
Interest income	41,070		40,855		40,885
Other income	11,295		7,245		7,788
Total revenues	1,421,162		657,297		523,288
Expenses:
Interest expense	318,395		151,296		96,856
Property operating expenses	379,476		79,293		42,501
Depreciation and amortization	418,406		186,963		140,692
General and administrative	77,201		54,626		49,691
Transaction costs	70,224		46,660		0
Realized loss of derivatives	0		0		0
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt	(979)		34,171		25,107
Provision for loan losses	2,010		29,684		23,261
Total expenses	1,264,733		582,693		378,108
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income from unconsolidated entities	156,429		74,604		145,180
Income tax (expense) benefit	(1,388)		(364)		(168)
Income from unconsolidated entities	5,772		6,673		0
Income from continuing operations	160,813		80,913		145,012
Discontinued operations:
Gain (loss) on sales of properties	61,160		36,115		43,394
Impairment of assets	(12,194)		(947)		(25,223)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net	2,937		12,803		29,744
Discontinued operations, net	51,903		47,971		47,915
Net income	212,716		128,884		192,927
Less: Preferred stock dividends	60,502		21,645		22,079
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4,894)	[1]	357	[1]	(342)	[1]
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 157,108		$ 106,882		$ 171,190
Average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	173,741		127,656		114,207
Diluted	174,401		128,208		114,612
Basic:
Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders	$ 0.61		$ 0.46		$ 1.08
Discontinued operations, net	$ 0.30		$ 0.38		$ 0.42
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.90		$ 0.84		$ 1.50
Diluted:
Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders	$ 0.60		$ 0.46		$ 1.08
Discontinued operations, net	$ 0.30		$ 0.37		$ 0.42
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.90		$ 0.83		$ 1.49

[1] Includes amounts attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests