Major Operators (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012 Operators Extendicare REIT	Mar. 31, 2012 Operators ALC	Mar. 31, 2012 Operators Brookdale
Financial information
Current assets						$ 369,848	$ 20,683	$ 297,541
Non-current assets						1,444,716	442,708	4,278,568
Current liabilities						347,660	36,267	687,513
Non-current liabilities						1,388,495	115,644	2,850,780
Stockholders' equity	465,056		465,056		466,748	78,409	311,480	1,037,816
Gross revenue	23,090	21,180	45,730	41,433		517,188	58,978	683,525
Operating expenses						448,790	48,431	656,665
Income (loss) from continuing operations	13,143	12,361	26,090	24,634		14,476	5,649	(10,338)
Net income (loss)	13,113	12,262	26,045	24,416		49,006	5,649	(10,338)
Cash provided by operations			36,830	34,394		17,468	11,836	45,693
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities			(11,471)	(50,275)		43,368	(4,777)	(141,392)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities			$ (19,454)	$ 15,373		$ (46,209)	$ (7,032)	$ 106,976