Major Operators (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012 operator	Dec. 31, 2011
Major Operators
Number of major operators	3
Total assets	$ 658,604	$ 647,097
Skilled Nursing
Major Operators
Number of properties sub-leased	1
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
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	29
Operators | Preferred Care | Skilled Nursing | SNF Beds
Major Operators
Number of beds/units	3,721
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
Total assets | Operators | Extendicare REIT and ALC
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	8.30%
Total assets	54,981
Total assets | Operators | Brookdale
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	8.30%
Total assets	54,989
Total assets | Operators | Preferred Care
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	8.40%
Total assets	$ 55,069
Rent and Interest Revenue | Operators | Extendicare REIT and ALC
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	12.20%
Rent and Interest Revenue | Operators | Brookdale
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	12.00%
Rent and Interest Revenue | Operators | Preferred Care
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	12.10%
Rent and Interest Revenue | Operators | Minimum
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	10.00%