Major Customer - NHC (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 properties	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 properties	Sep. 30, 2011
Number of Real Estate Properties	109		109
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	$ 22,285,000	$ 19,975,000	$ 64,905,000	$ 59,868,000
National HealthCare Corporation [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	41		41
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue			$ 27,584,000	$ 27,156,000
Percent of rental income recognized from tenants			43.00%	45.00%
Number of additional lease renewal options	3		3
Term of the lease renewal option period in years	5		5
Percentage Rent Rate			0.04
Subleased Facilities [Member] | National HealthCare Corporation [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	4		4