Major Operators (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 Operators Extendicare REIT	Jun. 30, 2012 Operators ALC	Jun. 30, 2012 Operators Brookdale
Financial information
Current assets						$ 354,230	$ 31,836	$ 292,582
Non-current assets						1,462,282	495,489	4,285,739
Current liabilities						413,749	34,773	990,094
Non-current liabilities						1,328,385	208,555	2,562,264
Stockholders' equity	464,541		464,541		466,748	74,378	283,997	1,025,963
Gross revenue	23,789	21,431	69,521	62,866		1,041,874	115,841	1,373,855
Operating expenses						911,111	144,670	1,328,130
Income (loss) from continuing operations	12,504	12,448	38,533	36,914		18,151	(19,460)	(29,148)
Net income (loss)	12,504	12,423	38,549	36,839		52,681	(19,460)	(29,148)
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities			57,411	51,662		36,319	(16,572)	128,547
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities			(73,178)	(63,376)		26,330	(72,557)	(204,460)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities			$ 19,633	$ 10,025		$ (69,161)	$ 89,970	$ 83,753