Major Operators (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016 property item
Major Operators
Number of major operators | item	4
Skilled Nursing
Major Operators
Number of properties leased | property	29
Number of beds/units | item	4,050
Assisted Living
Major Operators
Number of properties leased | property	64
Number of beds/units | item	3,428
Range of Care
Major Operators
Number of properties leased | property	2
Prestige | Skilled Nursing
Major Operators
Number of properties leased | property	18
Number of beds/units | item	2,606
Prestige | Assisted Living
Major Operators
Number of beds/units | item	93
Prestige | Range of Care
Major Operators
Number of properties leased | property	2
Senior Lifestyle | Assisted Living
Major Operators
Number of properties leased | property	27
Number of beds/units | item	1,631
Brookdale | Assisted Living
Major Operators
Number of properties leased | property	37
Number of beds/units | item	1,704
Senior Care | Skilled Nursing
Major Operators
Number of properties leased | property	11
Number of beds/units | item	1,444
Rental Revenue and Interest Income from Mortgage Loans | Operator Concentration Risk
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	49.60%
Rental Revenue and Interest Income from Mortgage Loans | Operator Concentration Risk | Prestige
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	16.30%
Rental Revenue and Interest Income from Mortgage Loans | Operator Concentration Risk | Senior Lifestyle
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	12.80%
Rental Revenue and Interest Income from Mortgage Loans | Operator Concentration Risk | Brookdale
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	10.30%
Rental Revenue and Interest Income from Mortgage Loans | Operator Concentration Risk | Senior Care
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	10.20%
Total Assets | Credit Concentration Risk
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	44.40%
Total Assets | Credit Concentration Risk | Prestige
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	15.80%
Total Assets | Credit Concentration Risk | Senior Lifestyle
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	13.60%
Total Assets | Credit Concentration Risk | Brookdale
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	5.90%
Total Assets | Credit Concentration Risk | Senior Care
Major Operators
Concentration risk (as a percent)	9.10%