Real Estate (New Real Estate Investments) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) properties	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Payments to Acquire Real Estate	$ 106,315,000	$ 520,505,000	$ 635,971,000
Real Estate Investments During The Period	$ 155,575,000
Senior Housing Community [Member] | East Lake Mgmt, Acquisition [Member]
Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired | properties	3
Payments to Acquire Real Estate	$ 66,900,000
Senior Housing Community [Member] | Bickford Senior Living [Member]
Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired | properties	1
Payments to Acquire Real Estate	$ 21,000,000
Senior Housing Community [Member] | Chancellor Healthcare [Member]
Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired | properties	1
Payments to Acquire Real Estate	$ 6,675,000
Senior Housing Community [Member] | Brook Retirement Acquisition [Member]
Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired | properties	1
2015 Bickford Development Properties [Member] | Senior Housing Community [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties To Be Constructed | properties	5
Estimated Future Development Cost	$ 55,000,000