Equity - Class of Stock, Distributions (Details) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2016	Jan. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity
Preferred shares outstanding			0				2,000,000					0	2,000,000
Net proceeds													$ 24,644,000	$ 176,260,000
Dividend Distributions
Declared			$ 76,765,000				$ 74,431,000					$ 76,765,000	74,431,000
Paid												$ 76,765,000	$ 74,431,000	$ 66,904,000
Dividends per share declared (in dollars per share)			$ 0.54	$ 0.51	$ 0.51	$ 0.51	$ 0.51	$ 0.51	$ 0.51	$ 0.51
Dividends paid per common share (in dollars per share)			$ 0.54	$ 0.51	$ 0.51	$ 0.51	$ 0.51	$ 0.51	$ 0.51	$ 0.51		$ 2.070	$ 2.040	$ 1.905
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Accumulated other comprehensive income			$ 47,000				$ 82,000					$ 47,000	$ 82,000
Change from net income and transfers from non-controlling interest
Net income attributable to LTC Properties, Inc.												73,081,000	$ 73,399,000	$ 57,815,000
Subsequent Event | Dividend Payable, January 2016
Dividend Distributions
Dividends per share declared (in dollars per share)		$ 0.18
Subsequent Event | Dividend Payable, February 2016
Dividend Distributions
Dividends per share declared (in dollars per share)		0.18
Subsequent Event | Dividend Payable, March 2016
Dividend Distributions
Dividends per share declared (in dollars per share)		$ 0.18
Shelf Registration
Equity
Amount available under effective shelf registration statement			$ 575,100,000									$ 575,100,000
Automatic shelf registration statement, term (in years)												P3Y
Series C Preferred Stock
Equity
Preferred shares outstanding			0				2,000,000					0	2,000,000
Dividend Rate (as a percent)												8.50%	8.50%
Number of shares of common stock to be issued upon conversion												2,000,000
Conversion price per share												$ 19.25
Shares converted												2,000,000
Dividend Distributions
Declared			$ 2,454,000				$ 3,273,000					$ 2,454,000	$ 3,273,000
Paid												$ 2,454,000	$ 3,273,000
Common Stock
Equity
Number of shares repurchased												26,993	5,324
Dividend Distributions
Declared			$ 74,311,000				$ 71,158,000					$ 74,311,000	$ 71,158,000
Paid												74,311,000	$ 71,158,000
Dividends per share declared (in dollars per share)			$ 0.18								$ 0.17		$ 0.17
Dividends paid per common share (in dollars per share)			$ 0.18								$ 0.17		$ 0.17
Common Stock | Subsequent Event
Equity
Number of shares repurchased	30,482
Common Stock | Equity Distribution Agreement
Equity
Maximum offering capacity under shelf registration statement			$ 200,000,000									200,000,000
Amount available under effective shelf registration statement			$ 200,000,000									$ 200,000,000
Shares common stock sold														126,742
Net proceeds														$ 4,895,000
Maximum aggregate offering price of shares authorized for issuance under terminated agreement														85,686,000
Reclassification of accumulated costs to additional paid in capital														$ 662,000
Common Stock | Private Placement
Equity
Shares common stock sold													600,000
Sale price of common stock (in dollars per share)							$ 41.50						$ 41.50
Net proceeds													$ 24,644,000