Major Operators (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 operator	Dec. 31, 2010
Major Operators
Number of major operators	3
Total assets	$ 647,097,000	$ 561,264,000
Operators | Brookdale | Assisted Living
Major Operators
Number of properties leased	35
Operators | Brookdale | Assisted Living | ALF Units
Major Operators
Number of beds/units	1,416
Operators | Preferred Care | Skilled Nursing
Major Operators
Number of properties leased	30
Operators | Preferred Care | Skilled Nursing | SNF Beds
Major Operators
Number of beds/units	3,861
Operators | Preferred Care | Skilled Nursing | ALF Units
Major Operators
Number of beds/units	49
Operators | Preferred Care | Other Senior Housing
Major Operators
Number of properties leased	2
Operators | Extendicare REIT and ALC | Assisted Living
Major Operators
Number of properties leased	37
Operators | Extendicare REIT and ALC | Assisted Living | ALF Units
Major Operators
Number of beds/units	1,427
Total assets | Operators | Brookdale
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	8.60%
Total assets	55,477,000
Total assets | Operators | Preferred Care
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	8.80%
Total assets	57,024,000
Total assets | Operators | Extendicare REIT and ALC
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	8.60%
Total assets	$ 55,507,000
Rent and Interest Revenue | Operators | Brookdale
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	12.50%
Rent and Interest Revenue | Operators | Preferred Care
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	12.80%
Rent and Interest Revenue | Operators | Extendicare REIT and ALC
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	13.00%
Rent and Interest Revenue | Operators | Minimum
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	10.00%