Welltower (WELL) 10-Q 5 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'HEALTH CARE REIT INC /DE/	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000766704	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Document Period End date	30-Sep-13	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$19,053,297,364
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding	'	288,670,688	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Real property owned:	'		'
Land and land improvements	$1,869,234,000		$1,365,391,000
Buildings and improvements	20,387,577,000		15,635,127,000
Acquired lease intangibles	1,050,542,000		673,684,000
Real property held for sale, net of accumulated depreciation	2,141,000		245,213,000
Construction in progress	158,006,000		162,984,000
Gross real property owned	23,467,500,000		18,082,399,000
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	-2,168,334,000		-1,555,055,000
Net real property owned	21,299,166,000		16,527,344,000
Real estate loans receivable:	'		'
Real estate loans receivable	307,377,000		895,665,000
Net real estate investments	21,606,543,000	[1],[2]	17,423,009,000
Other assets:	'		'
Equity Investments	475,574,000		438,936,000
Goodwill	68,321,000		68,321,000
Deferred loan expenses	68,569,000		66,327,000
Cash and cash equivalents	164,838,000		1,033,764,000
Restricted cash	80,890,000		107,657,000
Receivables and other assets	585,070,000		411,095,000
Total other assets	1,443,262,000		2,126,100,000
Total assets	23,049,805,000		19,549,109,000
Liabilities:	'		'
Borrowings under unsecured line of credit arrangement	847,670,000		0
Senior unsecured notes	6,395,638,000		6,114,151,000
Secured debt	3,115,862,000		2,336,196,000
Capital lease obligations	84,069,000		81,552,000
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	660,441,000		462,099,000
Total liabilities	11,103,680,000		8,993,998,000
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	31,706,000		34,592,000
Equity:	'		'
Preferred stock	1,022,917,000		1,022,917,000
Common stock	288,249,000		260,396,000
Capital in excess of par value	12,349,678,000		10,543,690,000
Treasury stock	-21,263,000		-17,875,000
Cumulative net income	2,301,869,000		2,184,819,000
Cumulative dividends	-4,363,376,000		-3,694,579,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-23,475,000		-11,028,000
Other equity	5,864,000		6,461,000
Total Health Care REIT, Inc. stockholders' equity	11,560,463,000		10,294,801,000
Noncontrolling interests	353,956,000		225,718,000
Total equity	11,914,419,000		10,520,519,000
Total liabilities and equity	$23,049,805,000		$19,549,109,000
[1]	Excludes our share of investments in unconsolidated entities. Please see Note 7 for additional information.
[2]	Genesis is in our seniors housing triple-net segment. Sunrise, Revera, and Belmont Village are in our seniors housing operating segment. Benchmark is in both our seniors housing triple-net and seniors housing operating segments.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues:	'		'		'		'
Rental income	$311,731,000		$277,919,000		$909,659,000		$789,748,000
Resident fees and services	466,127,000		174,464,000		1,164,446,000		498,295,000
Interest income	7,629,000		8,111,000		24,325,000		24,131,000
Other income	1,443,000		1,339,000		3,168,000		4,505,000
Total revenues	786,930,000		461,833,000		2,101,598,000		1,316,679,000
Expenses:	'		'		'		'
Interest expense	116,530,000		91,915,000		336,585,000		271,223,000
Property operating expenses	342,730,000		144,417,000		874,960,000		409,236,000
Depreciation and amortization	242,668,000		127,844,000		628,700,000		373,344,000
General and administrative	28,718,000		23,679,000		79,799,000		77,302,000
Transaction costs	23,591,000		8,264,000		117,707,000		42,535,000
Loss (gain) on derivatives, net	4,872,000		409,000		4,465,000		-1,712,000
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt, net	-4,068,000		215,000		-4,376,000		791,000
Provision for loan losses	0		27,008,000		0		27,008,000
Total expenses	755,041,000		423,751,000		2,037,840,000		1,199,727,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and income from unconsolidated entities	31,889,000		38,082,000		63,758,000		116,952,000
Income tax (expense) benefit	-3,077,000		-836,000		-7,055,000		-3,754,000
Income from unconsolidated entities	-331,000		-739,000		-3,529,000		2,250,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations	28,481,000		36,507,000		53,174,000		115,448,000
Discontinued operations:	'		'		'		'
Gain (loss) on sales of properties, net	4,707,000		12,827,000		57,202,000		46,046,000
Impairment of assets	0		6,952,000		0		6,952,000
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net	417,000		11,124,000		2,212,000		33,294,000
Discontinued operations, net	5,124,000		16,999,000		59,414,000		72,388,000
Net income	33,605,000		53,506,000		112,588,000		187,836,000
Less: Preferred stock dividends	16,602,000		16,602,000		49,805,000		52,527,000
Less: Preferred stock redemption charge	0		0		0		6,242,000
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	-3,688,000	[1]	-365,000	[1]	-4,462,000	[1]	-2,241,000	[1]
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$20,691,000		$37,269,000		$67,245,000		$131,308,000
Average number of common shares outstanding:	'		'		'		'
Basic	286,020,000		224,391,000		273,148,000		212,592,000
Diluted	288,029,000		226,258,000		275,247,000		214,075,000
Basic:	'		'		'		'
Income (loss ) from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders	$0.05		$0.09		$0.03		$0.28
Discontinued operations, net	$0.02		$0.08		$0.22		$0.34
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$0.07		$0.17		$0.25		$0.62
Diluted:	'		'		'		'
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders	$0.05		$0.09		$0.03		$0.28
Discontinued operations, net	$0.02		$0.08		$0.22		$0.34
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$0.07		$0.16		$0.24		$0.61
Dividends declared and paid per common share	$0.77		$0.74		$2.29		$2.22
[1]	(1) Includes amounts attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Net income (loss)	$33,605,000		$53,506,000		$112,588,000		$187,836,000
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'		'		'		'
Unrecognized gain (loss) on equity investments	-260,000		230,000		-346,000		192,000
Unrecognized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	473,000		414,000		1,416,000		1,138,000
Unrecognized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation	25,693,000		2,514,000		-18,164,000		166,000
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	25,906,000		3,158,000		-17,094,000		1,496,000
Total comprehensive income (loss)	59,511,000		56,664,000		95,494,000		189,332,000
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	-3,881,000	[1]	-365,000	[1]	-9,109,000	[1]	-2,241,000	[1]
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to controlling interests	$63,392,000		$57,029,000		$104,603,000		$191,573,000
[1]	(1) Includes amounts attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Equ

Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Treasury Stock	Cumulative Net Income	Cumulative Dividends	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Other Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
Balances at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2011	$7,278,647,000	$1,010,417,000	$192,299,000	$7,019,714,000	($13,535,000)	$1,893,806,000	($2,972,129,000)	($11,928,000)	$6,120,000	$153,883,000
Comprehensive income:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	188,805,000	'	'	'	'	190,077,000	'	'	'	-1,272,000
Other comprehensive income	1,496,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,496,000	'	'
Total comprehensive income	190,301,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net change in noncontrolling interests	12,238,000	'	'	-1,529,000	'	'	'	'	'	13,767,000
Amounts related to issuance of common stock from dividend reinvestment and stock incentive plans, net of forfeitures	98,980,000	'	1,784,000	102,238,000	-3,996,000	'	'	'	-1,046,000	'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	3,447,408,000	'	64,400,000	3,383,008,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock	277,687,000	287,500,000	'	-9,813,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock redeemed, amount	-275,040,000	-275,000,000	'	6,202,000	'	-6,242,000	'	'	'	'
Equity component of convertible debt	3,276,000	'	1,039,000	2,237,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Option compensation expense	2,371,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,371,000	'
Cash dividends paid:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock cash dividends	-460,936,000	'	'	'	'	'	-460,936,000	'	'	'
Preferred stock cash dividends	-52,527,000	'	'	'	'	'	-52,527,000	'	'	'
Balances at end of period at Sep. 30, 2012	10,522,405,000	1,022,917,000	259,522,000	10,502,057,000	-17,531,000	2,077,641,000	-3,485,592,000	-10,432,000	7,445,000	166,378,000
Balances at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2012	10,520,519,000	1,022,917,000	260,396,000	10,543,690,000	-17,875,000	2,184,819,000	-3,694,579,000	-11,028,000	6,461,000	225,718,000
Comprehensive income:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	114,705,000	'	'	'	'	117,050,000	'	'	'	-2,345,000
Other comprehensive income	-17,094,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	-12,447,000	'	-4,647,000
Total comprehensive income	97,611,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net change in noncontrolling interests	159,749,000	'	1,109,000	23,410,000	'	'	'	'	'	135,230,000
Amounts related to issuance of common stock from dividend reinvestment and stock incentive plans, net of forfeitures	174,760,000	'	2,756,000	176,840,000	-3,388,000	'	'	'	-1,448,000	'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	1,630,281,000	'	23,000,000	1,607,281,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Equity component of convertible debt	-555,000	'	988,000	-1,543,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Option compensation expense	851,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	851,000	'
Cash dividends paid:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock cash dividends	-618,992,000	'	'	'	'	'	-618,992,000	'	'	'
Preferred stock cash dividends	-49,805,000	'	'	'	'	'	-49,805,000	'	'	'
Balances at end of period at Sep. 30, 2013	$11,914,419,000	$1,022,917,000	$288,249,000	$12,349,678,000	($21,263,000)	$2,301,869,000	($4,363,376,000)	($23,475,000)	$5,864,000	$353,956,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Operating activities	'		'
Net income	$112,588,000		$187,836,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from (used in) operating activities:	'		'
Depreciation and amortization	630,579,000		393,243,000
Other amortization expenses	6,662,000		11,702,000
Provision for loan losses	0		27,008,000
Impairment of assets	0		-6,952,000
Stock-based compensation expense	16,650,000		16,229,000
Loss (gain) on derivatives, net	4,465,000		-1,712,000
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt, net	-4,376,000		791,000
Income from unconsolidated entities	3,529,000		-2,250,000
Rental income in excess of cash received	-31,226,000		-32,069,000
Amortization related to above (below) market leases, net	313,000		767,000
Loss (gain) on sales of properties, net	-57,202,000		-46,046,000
Distributions by unconsolidated entities	0		3,920,000
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities	9,646,000		16,417,000
Decrease (increase) in receivables and other assets	-65,721,000		-19,318,000
Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities	625,907,000		563,470,000
Investing activities	'		'
Investment in real property, net of cash acquired	-3,354,716,000		-2,119,796,000
Capitalized interest	-4,698,000		-7,113,000
Investment in real estate loans receivable	-77,336,000		-35,894,000
Other investments, net of payments	-16,589,000		26,752,000
Principal collected on real estate loans receivable	85,555,000		16,577,000
Contributions to unconsolidated entities	-381,667,000		-227,735,000
Distributions by unconsolidated entities	31,699,000		12,592,000
Proceeds from (payments on) derivatives	60,909,000		4,435,000
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	68,796,000		-69,809,000
Proceeds from sales of real property	385,493,000		302,377,000
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities	-3,202,554,000		-2,097,614,000
Financing activities	'		'
Net increase (decrease) under unsecured lines of credit arrangements	834,050,000		-610,000,000
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes	497,862,000		842,323,000
Payments to extinguish senior unsecured notes	-217,615,000		-370,524,000
Secured debt issued	85,140,000		145,713,000
Payments on secured debt	-575,373,000		-272,399,000
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock	1,792,552,000		3,536,232,000
Net proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock	0		277,687,000
Redemption of preferred stock	0		-275,000,000
Decrease (increase) in deferred loan expenses	-12,398,000		-5,119,000
Contributions by noncontrolling interests	5,350,000	[1]	12,106,000	[1]
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-22,502,000	[1]	-15,283,000	[1]
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	-23,247,000		0
Cash distributions to stockholders	-668,797,000		-513,463,000
Other financing activities	-1,710,000		641,000
Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities	1,693,312,000		2,752,914,000
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	14,409,000		0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-868,926,000		1,218,770,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,033,764,000		163,482,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	164,838,000		1,382,252,000
Supplemental cash flow information:	'		'
Interest paid	342,739,000		275,246,000
Income taxes paid	$5,146,096		$3,012,000
[1]	(1) Includes amounts attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests.

Business

Business	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business [Abstract]	'
Business	'
	1. Business
	Health Care REIT, Inc., an S&P 500 company with headquarters in Toledo, Ohio, is an equity real estate investment trust (“REIT”) that invests in seniors housing and health care real estate. Our full service platform offers property management and development services to our customers. As of September 30, 2013, our diversified portfolio consisted of 1,197 properties in 46 states, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Founded in 1970, we were the first real estate investment trust to invest exclusively in health care facilities.

Accounting_Policies_and_Relate

Accounting Policies and Related Matters	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies and Related Matters [Abstract]	'
Accounting Policies and Related Matters	'
	2. Accounting Policies and Related Matters
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with instructions to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily an indication of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. For further information, refer to the financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as updated by our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 6, 2013.
	New Accounting Standards
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” which requires companies to provide information about the amounts that are reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component and by the respective line items of net income. The amendment to authoritative guidance associated with comprehensive income was effective for us on January 1, 2013. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Real_Property_Acquisitions_and

Real Property Acquisitions and Development	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Real Property Acquisitions and Development [Abstract]	'
Real Property Acquisitions and Development	'
	3. Real Property Acquisitions and Development
	The total purchase price for all properties acquired has been allocated to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests based upon their respective fair values in accordance with our accounting policies. The results of operations for these acquisitions have been included in our consolidated results of operations since the date of acquisition and are a component of the appropriate segments. Transaction costs primarily represent costs incurred with property acquisitions, including due diligence costs, fees for legal and valuation services and termination of pre-existing relationships computed based on the fair value of the assets acquired, lease termination fees and other acquisition-related costs.
	Seniors Housing Triple-net Activity
			Nine Months Ended
	(In thousands)		September 30, 2013(1)			30-Sep-12
	Land and land improvements			$	56,665		$	79,325
	Buildings and improvements				211,903			935,036
		Total assets acquired			268,568			1,014,361
	Secured debt				-			-86,186
	Accrued expenses and other liabilities				-			-3,340
		Total liabilities assumed			-			-89,526
	Capital in excess of par				-			1,024
	Noncontrolling interests				-			-16,826
	Non-cash acquisition related activity				-			-310
		Cash disbursed for acquisitions			268,568			908,723
	Construction in progress additions				103,951			131,579
	Less:	Capitalized interest			-3,337			-4,228
	Cash disbursed for construction in progress				100,614			127,351
	Capital improvements to existing properties				27,819			48,450
		Total cash invested in real property, net of cash acquired		$	397,001		$	1,084,524
	(1) Includes acquisitions with an aggregate purchase price of $268,568,000 for which the allocation of the purchase price consideration is preliminary and subject to change.
	Seniors Housing Operating Activity
	Acquisitions of seniors housing operating properties are structured under RIDEA, which is described in Note 18. This structure results in the inclusion of all resident revenues and related property operating expenses from the operation of these qualified health care properties in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Certain of our subsidiaries’ functional currencies are the local currencies of their respective countries. See Note 2 to the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as updated by our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 6, 2013, for information regarding our foreign currency policies.
			Nine Months Ended
	(In thousands)		September 30, 2013(1)			30-Sep-12
	Land and land improvements			$	437,046		$	46,391
	Building and improvements				4,214,254			450,255
	Acquired lease intangibles				377,929			39,875
	Restricted cash				41,524			-
	Receivables and other assets				81,546			2,247
		Total assets acquired(2)			5,152,299			538,768
	Secured debt				-1,261,093			-8,684
	Accrued expenses and other liabilities				-86,412			-5,480
		Total liabilities assumed			-1,347,505			-14,164
	Noncontrolling interests				-230,441			-2,054
	Non-cash acquisition related activity(3)				-856,103			-
		Cash disbursed for acquisitions			2,718,250			522,550
	Construction in progress additions				1,521			-
	Less:	Capitalized interest			-18			-
	Cash disbursed for construction in progress				1,503			-
	Capital improvements to existing properties				36,813			13,325
		Total cash invested in real property, net of cash acquired		$	2,756,566		$	535,875
	(1) Includes acquisitions with an aggregate purchase price of $5,152,299,000 for which the allocation of the purchase price consideration is preliminary and subject to change.
	(2) Excludes $87,406,000 and $4,369,000 of cash acquired during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	(3) Represents Sunrise loan and noncontrolling interests acquisitions.
	Sunrise Merger
	In August 2012, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Sunrise Senior Living, Inc. (“Sunrise”), pursuant to which we agreed to acquire Sunrise in an all-cash merger (the “Merger”) in which Sunrise stockholders would receive $14.50 in cash for each share of Sunrise common stock. On January 9, 2013, we completed our acquisition of the Sunrise property portfolio. The Sunrise Merger advances our strategic vision to own higher-end, private pay properties located in major metropolitan markets. On July 1, 2013, we acquired the remaining interests in 49 previously unconsolidated properties. As of September 30, 2013, 120 properties are wholly owned and 5 properties are held in unconsolidated entities (see Note 7 for additional information). The total estimated purchase price of approximately $4,155,052,000, including approximately $2,456,011,000 of cash consideration, has been allocated on a preliminary basis to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities in the table above based on respective fair values in accordance with our accounting policies. We funded the cash consideration and other associated costs of the acquisition from cash on-hand as well as draws on our primary unsecured line of credit and unsecured term loan (see Notes 9 and 10 for additional information).
	We recognized $201,941,000 and $443,221,000 of revenues and $65,942,000 and $145,264,000 of net operating income from continuing operations related to the consolidated Sunrise portfolio during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013, respectively. In addition, we incurred $72,337,000 of transaction costs, which include advisory fees, due diligence costs, severances, and fees for legal and valuation services during the nine month period ended September 30, 2013. These amounts are included in the seniors housing operating results reflected in Note 17.
	The following unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operation have been prepared as if the Sunrise Merger had occurred as of January 1, 2012 based on the preliminary purchase price allocations discussed above. Amounts are in thousands, except per share data:
				Nine Months Ended
				September 30,			September 30,
				2013			2012
	Revenues			$	2,268,062		$	1,828,395
	Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders			$	-2,079		$	-59,769
	Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders per share:
		Basic		$	-0.01		$	-0.28
		Diluted		$	-0.01		$	-0.28
	Medical Facilities Activity
			Nine Months Ended
	(In thousands)		September 30, 2013(1)				30-Sep-12
	Land and land improvements			$	-		$	53,493
	Buildings and improvements				144,708			487,255
	Acquired lease intangibles				-			93,392
Restricted cash				505			975
Receivables and other assets				151			4,311
	Total assets acquired			145,364			639,426
Secured debt				-26,300			-238,589
Accrued expenses and other liabilities				-479			-18,075
	Total liabilities assumed			-26,779			-256,664
Non-cash acquisition activity				(12,056)(2)			-880
	Cash disbursed for acquisitions			106,529			381,882
Construction in progress additions				87,882			94,462
Less:	Capitalized interest			-1,343			-2,885
	Accruals(3)			-9,806			-4,567
Cash disbursed for construction in progress				76,733			87,010
Capital improvements to existing properties				17,887			30,505
	Total cash invested in real property		$	201,149		$	499,397
(1) Includes acquisitions with an aggregate purchase price of $145,364,000 for which the allocation of purchase price consideration is preliminary and subject to change.
(2) Represents non-cash consideration exchanged in an asset swap transaction. Please see Note 5 for additional information.
(3) Represents non-cash accruals for amounts to be paid in future periods relating to properties that converted in the periods noted above.
Construction Activity
The following is a summary of the construction projects that were placed into service and began generating revenues during the periods presented (in thousands):
				Nine Months Ended
				30-Sep-13				30-Sep-12
	Development projects:
		Seniors housing triple-net			$	105,265			$	84,271
		Medical facilities				78,839				111,327
		Total development projects				184,104				195,598
	Expansion projects					14,229				240
Total construction in progress conversions					$	198,333			$	195,838

Real_Estate_Intangibles

Real Estate Intangibles	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Real Estate Intangibles [Abstract]	'
Real Estate Intangibles	'
	4. Real Estate Intangibles
	The following is a summary of our real estate intangibles, excluding those classified as held for sale, as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):
				30-Sep-13			31-Dec-12
	Assets:
		In place lease intangibles		$	918,507		$	541,729
		Above market tenant leases			54,091			56,086
		Below market ground leases			61,461			61,450
		Lease commissions			16,483			14,419
		Gross historical cost			1,050,542			673,684
		Accumulated amortization			-472,389			-257,242
		Net book value		$	578,153		$	416,442
		Weighted-average amortization period in years			17.1			16.4
	Liabilities:
		Below market tenant leases		$	76,239		$	77,036
		Above market ground leases			9,490			9,490
		Gross historical cost			85,729			86,526
		Accumulated amortization			-32,894			-27,753
		Net book value		$	52,835		$	58,773
		Weighted-average amortization period in years			14.3			14.3
	The following is a summary of real estate intangible amortization for the periods presented (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013		2012
	Rental income related to above/below market tenant leases, net		$	235		$	-972		$	596	$	452
	Property operating expenses related to above/below market ground leases, net			-303			-555			-909		-1,219
	Depreciation and amortization related to in place lease intangibles and lease commissions			-78,782			-22,271			-168,441		-78,114
	The future estimated aggregate amortization of intangible assets and liabilities is as follows for the periods presented (in thousands):
				Assets			Liabilities
	2013		$	93,415		$	1,730
	2014			207,606			6,583
	2015			58,816			5,623
	2016			25,985			5,185
	2017			26,825			4,894
	Thereafter			165,506			28,820
	Totals		$	578,153		$	52,835

Dispositions_Assets_Held_for_S

Dispositions, Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Dispositions, Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations [Abstract]	'
Dispositions, Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations	'
	5. Dispositions, Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations
	The following is a summary of our real property disposition activity for the periods presented (in thousands):
			Nine Months Ended
			30-Sep-13			30-Sep-12
	Real property dispositions:
		Seniors housing triple-net		$	138,650		$	149,984
		Medical facilities			201,845			106,347
		Total dispositions			340,495			256,331
	Gain (loss) on sales of real property, net				57,202			46,046
	Non-cash disposition activity(1)				-12,204			0
	Proceeds from real property sales			$	385,493		$	302,377
	(1) Represents non-cash consideration surrendered in an asset swap transaction. Please see Note 3 for additional information.
	We have reclassified the income and expenses attributable to all properties sold prior to or held for sale at September 30, 2013 to discontinued operations. Expenses include an allocation of interest expense based on property carrying values and our weighted-average cost of debt. The following illustrates the reclassification impact as a result of classifying properties as discontinued operations for the periods presented (in thousands):
					Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
					September 30,					September 30,
				2013		2012			2013		2012
	Revenues:
		Rental income		$	810	$	20,747		$	5,972	$	70,166
	Expenses:
		Interest expense			12		4,328			1,535		15,504
		Property operating expenses			68		281			346		1,469
		Provision for depreciation			313		5,014			1,879		19,899
		Total expenses			393		9,623			3,760		36,872
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net			$	417	$	11,124		$	2,212	$	33,294

Real_Estate_Loans_Receivable

Real Estate Loans Receivable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Real Estate Loans Receivable [Abstract]	'
Real Estate Loans Receivable	'
	6. Real Estate Loans Receivable
	The following is a summary of our real estate loan activity for the periods presented (in thousands):
			Nine Months Ended
			30-Sep-13						30-Sep-12
			Seniors						Seniors
			Housing		Medical				Housing		Medical
			Triple-net		Facilities		Totals		Triple-net		Facilities		Totals
	Advances on real estate loans receivable:
		Investments in new loans	$	27,392	$	4,095	$	31,487	$	1,154	$	0	$	1,154
		Draws on existing loans		42,772		3,077		45,849		33,710		1,030		34,740
		Net cash advances on real estate loans		70,164		7,172		77,336		34,864		1,030		35,894
	Receipts on real estate loans receivable:
		Loan payoffs		65,768		646		66,414		450		0		450
		Principal payments on loans		16,972		2,169		19,141		14,204		1,923		16,127
		Total receipts on real estate loans		82,740		2,815		85,555		14,654		1,923		16,577
	Net cash advances (receipts) on real estate loans			-12,576		4,357		-8,219		20,210		-893		19,317
	Change in balance due to foreign currency translation			765		0		765		0		0		0
	Net change in real estate loans receivable		$	-11,811	$	4,357	$	-7,454	$	20,210	$	-893	$	19,317
	We recorded no provision for loan losses during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. At September 30, 2013, we had real estate loans with outstanding balances of $2,650,000 on non-accrual status with an allowance for loan losses of $0.

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities [Abstract]	'
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities	'
	7. Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
	During the year ended December 31, 2010, we entered into a joint venture investment with Forest City Enterprises Inc. (NYSE:FCE.A and FCE.B). We acquired a 49% interest in a seven-building life science campus located at University Park in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which is immediately adjacent to the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This investment is recorded as an investment in unconsolidated entities on the balance sheet.
	On December 31, 2010, we formed a strategic partnership with a national medical office building company whereby the partnership invested in 17 medical office properties. We own a controlling interest in 11 properties and consolidate them. Consolidation is based on a combination of ownership interest and control of operational decision-making authority. We do not own a controlling interest in six properties and account for them under the equity method. Our investment in the strategic partnership provides us access to health systems and includes development and property management resources.
	During the three months ended June 30, 2012, we entered into a joint venture (structured under RIDEA) with Chartwell Retirement Residences (TSX:CSH.UN). The portfolio contains 42 properties in Canada, 39 of which are owned 50% by us and Chartwell, and three of which we wholly own. All properties are managed by Chartwell. Our investment in the 39 properties is recorded as an investment in unconsolidated entities on the balance sheet. The aggregate remaining unamortized basis difference of our investment in this joint venture of $9,488,000 at September 30, 2013 is primarily attributable to transaction costs that will be amortized over the weighted-average useful life of the related properties and included in the reported amount of income from unconsolidated entities.
	In conjunction with the Sunrise Merger, we acquired joint venture interests in 54 properties and a 20% interest in a newly formed Sunrise management company, which manages the entire property portfolio. On July 1, 2013, we acquired the remaining interests in 49 of the properties. Our original investment of $49,759,000 relating to the five remaining unconsolidated properties and the management company is recorded as an investment in unconsolidated entities on the balance sheet. See Note 3 for additional information.
	The results of operations for those investments accounted for under the equity method have been included in our consolidated results of operations from the date of acquisition by the joint ventures and are reflected in our statements of comprehensive income as income or loss from unconsolidated entities. The following is a summary of our income from and investments in unconsolidated entities (dollars in thousands):
		30-Sep-13		Nine Months Ended September 30,				Assets as of
		Percentage Ownership	Properties	2013 Income (loss)		2012 Income (loss)		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Seniors housing triple-net(1)	10% to 49%	-	$	3,680	$	26	$	29,107	$	34,618
	Seniors housing operating	33% to 50%	44		-13,946		-4,090		257,232		217,701
	Medical facilities	36% to 49%	13		6,737		6,314		189,235		186,617
	Total			$	-3,529	$	2,250	$	475,574	$	438,936
	(1) Asset amounts include an available-for-sale equity investment. See Note 16 for additional information.

Credit_Concentration

Credit Concentration	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Customer Concentration [Abstract]	'
Credit Concentration	'
	8. Credit Concentration
	The following table summarizes certain information about our credit concentration as of September 30, 2013 (dollars in thousands):
			Number of	Total		Percent of
	Concentration by investment:(1)		Properties(2)	Investment(2)		Investment(3)
		Sunrise Senior Living	120	$	4,060,818	19%
		Genesis HealthCare	177		2,662,196	12%
		Revera	47		1,221,148	6%
		Belmont Village	19		859,797	4%
		Benchmark	37		852,960	4%
		Remaining portfolio	740		11,949,624	55%
		Totals	1,140	$	21,606,543	100%
	Genesis is in our seniors housing triple-net segment. Sunrise, Revera, and Belmont Village are in our seniors housing operating segment. Benchmark is in both our seniors housing triple-net and seniors housing operating segments.
	Excludes our share of investments in unconsolidated entities. Please see Note 7 for additional information.
	Investments with our top five relationships comprised 37% of total investments at December 31, 2012.

Borrowings_Under_Line_of_Credi

Borrowings Under Line of Credit Arrangements and Related Items	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Borrowings Under Line of Credit Arrangement and Related Items [Abstract]	'
Borrowings Under Line of Credit Arrangements and Related Items	'
	9. Borrowings Under Line of Credit Arrangements and Related Items
	At September 30, 2013, we had a $2,250,000,000 unsecured line of credit arrangement with a consortium of 29 banks. We have an option to upsize the facility by up to an additional $1,000,000,000 through an accordion feature, allowing for the aggregate commitment of up to $3,250,000,000. The arrangement also allows us to borrow up to $500,000,000 in alternate currencies. At September 30, 2013, we had $595,000,000 outstanding at 1.36%, and the U.S. dollar equivalent of $242,670,000 outstanding in Pound Sterling at 1.67%. The revolving credit facility is scheduled to expire March 31, 2017, but can be extended for an additional year at our option. Borrowings under the revolver are subject to interest payable in periods no longer than three months at either the agent bank’s prime rate of interest or the applicable margin over LIBOR interest rate, at our option (1.35% at September 30, 2013). The applicable margin is based on certain of our debt ratings and was 1.175% at September 30, 2013. In addition, we pay a facility fee annually to each bank based on the bank’s commitment amount. The facility fee depends on certain of our debt ratings and was 0.225% at September 30, 2013. Principal is due upon expiration of the agreement. In addition, at September 30, 2013, we had $10,000,000 outstanding in unsecured revolving demand notes bearing interest at a blended rate of 1.11%.
	The following information relates to aggregate borrowings under the unsecured line of credit arrangements for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
			Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
	Balance outstanding at quarter end		$	847,670	$	0	$	847,670	$	0
	Maximum amount outstanding at any month end		$	1,019,050	$	145,000	$	1,019,050	$	897,000
	Average amount outstanding (total of daily
		principal balances divided by days in period)	$	562,978	$	165,000	$	527,890	$	255,639
	Weighted average interest rate (actual interest
		expense divided by average borrowings outstanding)		1.51%		2.30%		1.43%		1.79%

Senior_Unsecured_Notes_and_Sec

Senior Unsecured Notes and Secured Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Senior Unsecured Notes and Secured Debt [Abstract]	'
Senior Unsecured Notes and Secured Debt	'
	10. Senior Unsecured Notes and Secured Debt
	We may repurchase, redeem or refinance convertible and non-convertible senior unsecured notes from time to time, taking advantage of favorable market conditions when available. We may purchase senior notes for cash through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, a tender offer or, in some cases, through the early redemption of such securities pursuant to their terms. The non-convertible senior unsecured notes are redeemable at our option, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (1) the principal amount of the notes (or portion of such notes) being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon up to the redemption date and (2) any “make-whole” amount due under the terms of the notes in connection with early redemptions. Redemptions and repurchases of debt, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. At September 30, 2013, the annual principal payments due on these debt obligations were as follows (in thousands):
		Senior			Secured
		Unsecured Notes(1,2)			Debt (1,3)			Totals
	2013	$	300,000		$	75,866		$	375,866
	2014		0			326,307			326,307
	2015(4)		493,072			403,268			896,340
	2016		1,200,000			384,127			1,584,127
	2017		450,000			341,845			791,845
	Thereafter		3,975,118			1,534,510			5,509,628
	Totals	$	6,418,190		$	3,065,923		$	9,484,113
	(1) Amounts represent principal amounts due and do not include unamortized premiums/discounts or other fair value adjustments as reflected on the balance sheet.
	(2) Annual interest rates range from 2.25% to 6.5%, excluding the Canadian denominated unsecured term loan discussed in footnote 4 and the $500,000,000 unsecured term loan discussed below.
	(3) Annual interest rates range from 1.0% to 9.1%. Carrying value of the properties securing the debt totaled $6,336,955,000 at September 30, 2013.
	(4) On July 30, 2012, we completed funding on a $250,000,000 Canadian denominated unsecured term loan (approximately $243,072,000 USD at exchange rates on September 30, 2013). The loan matures July 27, 2015 (with an option to extend for an additional year at our discretion) and bears interest at the Canadian Dealer Offered Rate plus 145 basis points (2.67% at September 30, 2013).
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we borrowed on a $500,000,000 unsecured term loan entered into as part of our unsecured line of credit arrangement. The loan matures on March 31, 2016, but can be extended up to two years at our option and bears interest at LIBOR plus 1.35% (1.53% at September 30, 2013).
	The following is a summary of our senior unsecured note activity, excluding the Canadian denominated unsecured term loan, during the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
		Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep-13					30-Sep-12
					Weighted Avg.					Weighted Avg.
		Amount			Interest Rate		Amount			Interest Rate
	Beginning balance	$	5,894,403		4.68%		$	4,464,927		5.13%
	Debt issued		500,000		1.55%			600,000		4.13%
	Debt extinguished		-		0.00%			-76,853		8.00%
	Debt redeemed		-219,285		3.00%			-293,671		4.75%
	Ending balance	$	6,175,118		4.48%		$	4,694,403		5.03%
	The following is a summary of our secured debt principal activity for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
			Nine Months Ended
				30-Sep-13				30-Sep-12
						Weighted Avg.					Weighted Avg.
			Amount			Interest Rate		Amount			Interest Rate
	Beginning balance		$	2,311,586		5.14%		$	2,108,373		5.34%
	Debt issued			85,140		5.05%			145,713		4.13%
	Debt assumed			1,241,898		4.11%			311,653		5.71%
	Debt extinguished			-535,367		3.52%			-237,259		4.29%
	Principal payments			-40,006		5.27%			-28,247		5.35%
	Foreign currency			2,672		4.04%			288		5.62%
	Ending balance		$	3,065,923		5.08%		$	2,300,521		5.42%
	Our debt agreements contain various covenants, restrictions and events of default. Certain agreements require us to maintain certain financial ratios and minimum net worth and impose certain limits on our ability to incur indebtedness, create liens and make investments or acquisitions. As of September 30, 2013, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under our debt agreements.

Derivative_Instruments

Derivative Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments	'
	11. Derivative Instruments
	We are exposed to various market risks, including the potential loss arising from adverse changes in interest rates. We may elect to use financial derivative instruments to hedge interest rate exposure. These decisions are principally based on our policy to manage the general trend in interest rates at the applicable dates and our perception of the future volatility of interest rates. In addition, non-U.S. investments expose us to the potential losses associated with adverse changes in foreign currency to U.S. Dollar exchange rates. We may elect to manage this risk through the use of forward exchange contracts and issuing debt in foreign currencies.
	Interest Rate Swap Contracts Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
	For instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”), and reclassified into earnings in the same period, or periods, during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in earnings. As of September 30, 2013, we had one interest rate swap for a total aggregate notional amount of $11,692,000. The swap hedges interest payments associated with long-term LIBOR based borrowings and matures on December 31, 2013. Approximately $1,910,000 of losses, which are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), are expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months.
	Foreign Currency Hedges
	For instruments that are designated and qualify as net investment hedges, the variability in the foreign currency to U.S. dollar of the instrument is recorded as a cumulative translation adjustment component of OCI.  The balance of the cumulative translation adjustment will be reclassified to earnings when the hedged investment is sold or substantially liquidated. On February 15, 2012, we entered into a forward exchange contract to purchase $250,000,000 Canadian Dollars at a fixed rate in the future.  The forward contract was used to limit exposure to fluctuations in the Canadian Dollar to U.S. Dollar exchange rate associated with our initial cash investment funded for the Chartwell transaction.  On May 3, 2012, this forward exchange contract was settled for a gain of $2,772,000, which was reflected on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, and the proceeds were used to fund our investment. On May 3, 2012, we also entered into a forward contract to sell $250,000,000 Canadian Dollars at a fixed rate on July 31, 2012 to hedge our net investment. We settled the forward contract on July 31, 2012 with the net loss reflected in OCI. Upon settlement of the forward contract we entered into a $250,000,000 Canadian Dollar term loan, which has been designated as a net investment hedge of our Chartwell investment, and changes in fair value are reported in OCI as no ineffectiveness is anticipated.
	On August 30, 2012, we entered into two cross currency swaps to purchase £125,000,000.  The swaps were used to limit exposure to fluctuations in the Pound Sterling to U.S. Dollar exchange rate associated with our initial cash investment funded for the Sunrise transaction. The cross currency swaps have been designated as a net investment hedge, and changes in fair value are reported in OCI as no ineffectiveness is anticipated.
	On September 17, 2012, we entered into two forward exchange contracts to purchase $14,000,000 Canadian Dollars and £23,000,000 at a fixed rate in the future.  The forward contracts were used to limit exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency associated with future international transactions. These forward contacts were settled on March 22, 2013 for a realized loss of $2,309,000.
	On January 14, 2013 and January 15, 2013, we entered into three forward exchange contracts to sell £675,000,000 at a fixed rate in the future.  The forward exchange contracts were used to hedge a portion of our investment in the United Kingdom at a fixed Pound Sterling rate in U.S. dollars and were settled on July 12, 2013. We received proceeds of $63,514,000. The forward exchange contracts were designated as net investment hedges and the change in fair value is reported in OCI.
	On April 4, 2013, we entered into three forward exchange contracts to purchase $600,000,000 Canadian Dollars at a fixed rate in the future and three forward exchange contracts to sell $600,000,000 Canadian Dollars at a fixed rate in the future. The forward contracts were used to limit exposure to fluctuations in the Canadian Dollar to U.S. Dollar exchange rate associated with our initial cash investment funded for an acquisition in Canada. On May 22, 2013, the three forward exchange purchase contracts were settled for a realized loss of $10,355,000, which was reflected on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, and the proceeds were used to fund our investment. On May 22, 2013, we designated the three forward exchange sell contracts as net investment hedges, and changes in fair value are reported in OCI as no ineffectiveness is anticipated. Prior to designating the three forward exchange sell contracts as net investments, they were marked to fair value and an unrealized gain of $13,071,000 was reflected on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.
	On July 1, 2013, we entered into two forward exchange contracts to purchase £144,411,000 at a fixed rate in the future. The forward contracts were used to limit exposure to fluctuations in the Pound Sterling to U.S. Dollar exchange rate associated with our initial cash investment for an acquisition in the United Kingdom. In July 2013, these forward contracts were settled for a realized loss of $4,872,000, which was reflected on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, and the proceeds were used to fund our investment.
	On July 12, 2013, we entered into three forward exchange contracts to sell £675,000,000 at a fixed rate in the future.  The forward exchange contracts were used to hedge a portion of our investment in the United Kingdom at a fixed Pound Sterling rate in U.S. dollars and mature on December 31, 2013. The forward exchange contracts are designated as net investment hedges and changes in fair value are reported in OCI as no ineffectiveness is expected.
	The following presents the impact of derivative instruments on the statement of comprehensive income and OCI for the periods presented (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
		Location		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Gain (loss) on interest rate swap recognized in OCI (effective portion)	OCI	$	-4	$	797	$	-12	$	2,342
	Gain (loss) on interest rate swaps reclassified from AOCI into income (effective portion)	Interest expense		-477		383		-1,428		1,204
	Gain (loss) on interest rate swaps recognized in income	Gain (loss) on derivatives, net		0		0		0		-96
	Gain (loss) on foreign exchange contracts recognized in income	Gain (loss) on derivatives, net		-4,872		-409		-4,465		1,808
	Gain (loss) on foreign exchange contracts and term loans designated as net investment hedge recognized in OCI	OCI		-110,404		-12,663		-19,867		-5,747

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	12. Commitments and Contingencies
	At September 30, 2013, we had six outstanding letter of credit obligations totaling $5,658,000 and expiring between 2013 and 2015. At September 30, 2013, we had outstanding construction in process of $158,006,000 for leased properties and were committed to providing additional funds of approximately $261,625,000 to complete construction. At September 30, 2013, we had contingent purchase obligations totaling $59,561,000. These contingent purchase obligations relate to unfunded capital improvement obligations and contingent obligations on acquisitions. Rents due from the tenant are increased to reflect the additional investment in the property.
	We evaluate our leases for operating versus capital lease treatment in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 840 “Leases.”  A lease is classified as a capital lease if it provides for transfer of ownership of the leased asset at the end of the lease term, contains a bargain purchase option, has a lease term greater than 75% of the economic life of the leased asset, or if the net present value of the future minimum lease payments are in excess of 90% of the fair value of the leased asset. Certain leases contain bargain purchase options and have been classified as capital leases. At September 30, 2013, we had operating lease obligations of $882,088,000 relating to certain ground leases and company office space and capital lease obligations of $118,463,000 relating to certain investment properties. We incurred rental expense relating to company office space of $410,000 and $1,217,000 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, as compared to $330,000 and $931,000 for the same periods in 2012. Regarding ground leases, we have sublease agreements with certain of our operators that require the operators to reimburse us for our monthly operating lease obligations. At September 30, 2013, aggregate future minimum rentals to be received under these noncancelable subleases totaled $44,987,000.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	13. Stockholders’ Equity
	The following is a summary of our stockholders’ equity capital accounts as of the dates indicated:
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Preferred Stock:
	Authorized shares	50,000,000		50,000,000
	Issued shares	26,224,854		26,224,854
	Outstanding shares	26,224,854		26,224,854
	Common Stock, $1.00 par value:
	Authorized shares	400,000,000		400,000,000
	Issued shares	288,821,107		260,780,109
	Outstanding shares	288,360,031		260,373,754
	Preferred Stock. The following is a summary of our preferred stock activity during the periods indicated:
		Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep-13				30-Sep-12
				Weighted Avg.				Weighted Avg.
		Shares		Dividend Rate		Shares		Dividend Rate
	Beginning balance	26,224,854		6.49%		25,724,854		7.01%
	Shares issued	-		0.00%		11,500,000		6.50%
	Shares redeemed	-		0.00%		-11,000,000		7.72%
	Ending balance	26,224,854		6.49%		26,224,854		6.49%
	Common Stock. The following is a summary of our common stock issuances during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Shares Issued			Average Price			Gross Proceeds			Net Proceeds
	February 2012 public issuance	20,700,000		$	53.5		$	1,107,450		$	1,062,256
	August 2012 public issuance	13,800,000			58.75			810,750			778,011
	September 2012 public issuance	29,900,000			56			1,674,400			1,607,140
	2012 Dividend reinvestment plan issuances	1,485,598			55.65			82,678			82,678
	2012 Option exercises	155,195			39.61			6,147			6,147
	2012 Senior note conversions	1,039,721						0			0
	2012 Totals	67,080,514					$	3,681,425		$	3,536,232
	May 2013 public issuance	23,000,000		$	73.5		$	1,690,500		$	1,630,281
	2013 Dividend reinvestment plan issuances	2,379,609			64.62			153,762			153,762
	2013 Option exercises	200,467			42.45			8,509			8,509
	2013 Senior note conversions	987,967						0			0
	2013 Equity issued in acquisition of noncontrolling interest	1,108,917						0			0
	2013 Totals	27,676,960					$	1,852,771		$	1,792,552
	During the three months ended September 30, 2013, we acquired the remaining 20% noncontrolling interest in an existing partnership for $91,000,000 which consisted of $23,247,000 of cash and 1,108,917 shares of common stock. In connection with the acquisition, we incurred $2,732,000 of transaction costs which we have included as a reduction to additional paid in capital.
	Dividends. The increase in dividends is primarily attributable to increases in our common shares outstanding as described above. Please refer to Note 18 for information related to federal income tax of dividends. The following is a summary of our dividend payments (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep-13						30-Sep-12
		Per Share			Amount			Per Share			Amount
	Common Stock	$	2.295		$	618,992		$	2.22		$	460,936
	Series D Preferred Stock		-			0			0.503			2,012
	Series F Preferred Stock		-			0			0.4872			3,410
	Series H Preferred Stock		2.1438			750			2.1438			750
	Series I Preferred Stock		2.4375			35,039			2.4375			35,039
	Series J Preferred Stock		1.2189			14,016			0.9841			11,316
	Totals				$	668,797					$	513,463
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The following is a summary of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the periods presented (in thousands):
			Unrecognized gains (losses) related to:
			Foreign Currency Translation			Equity Investments			Actuarial losses			Cash Flow Hedges		Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	-881		$	-216		$	-2,974		$	-6,957	$	-11,028
	Other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustments		-13,517			-346			0			-12		-13,875
	Reclassification amount to net income		0			0			0			1,428(1)		1,428
	Net current-period other comprehensive income		-13,517			-346			0			1,416		-12,447
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	-14,398		$	-562		$	-2,974		$	-5,541	$	-23,475
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	0		$	-619		$	-2,748		$	-8,561	$	-11,928
	Other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustments		166			192			0			2,342		2,700
	Reclassification amount to net income		0			0			0			(1,204)(1)		-1,204
	Net current-period other comprehensive income		166			192			0			1,138		1,496
	Balance at September 30, 2012	$	166		$	-427		$	-2,748		$	-7,423	$	-10,432
	(1) Please see Note 11 for additional information.

Stock_Incentive_Plans

Stock Incentive Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock Incentive Plans [Abstract]	'
Stock Incentive Plans	'
	14. Stock Incentive Plans
	Our Amended and Restated 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2005 Plan”) authorizes up to 6,200,000 shares of common stock to be issued at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The 2005 Plan replaced the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan (“1995 Plan”) and the Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors. The options granted to officers and key employees under the 1995 Plan vested through 2010 and expire ten years from the date of grant. Our non-employee directors, officers and key employees are eligible to participate in the 2005 Plan. The 2005 Plan allows for the issuance of, among other things, stock options, restricted stock, deferred stock units and dividend equivalent rights. Vesting periods for options, deferred stock units and restricted shares generally range from three years for non-employee directors to five years for officers and key employees. Options expire ten years from the date of grant. Stock-based compensation expense totaled $3,956,000 and $16,650,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and $2,592,000 and $16,229,000 for the same periods in 2012.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	15. Earnings Per Share
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data):
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
	Numerator for basic and diluted earnings
		per share - net income (loss) attributable
		to common stockholders	$	20,691	$	37,269	$	67,245	$	131,308
	Denominator for basic earnings per
		share - weighted average shares		286,020		224,391		273,148		212,592
	Effect of dilutive securities:
		Employee stock options		196		238		235		240
		Non-vested restricted shares		567		301		417		293
		Convertible senior unsecured notes		1,246		1,328		1,447		950
	Dilutive potential common shares			2,009		1,867		2,099		1,483
	Denominator for diluted earnings per
		share - adjusted weighted average shares		288,029		226,258		275,247		214,075
	Basic earnings per share		$	0.07	$	0.17	$	0.25	$	0.62
	Diluted earnings per share		$	0.07	$	0.16	$	0.24	$	0.61
	The diluted earnings per share calculations exclude the dilutive effect of 0 and 237,000 common stock equivalents for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and 0 common stock equivalents for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, because the exercise prices were higher than the average market price. The Series H Cumulative Convertible and Redeemable Preferred Stock and Series I Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock were not included in the calculations as the effect of conversions into common stock was anti-dilutive.

Disclosure_about_Fair_Value_of

Disclosure about Fair Value of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure About Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'
Disclosure about Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	16. Disclosure about Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value.
	Mortgage Loans and Other Real Estate Loans Receivable — The fair value of mortgage loans and other real estate loans receivable is generally estimated by using Level 2 and Level 3 inputs such as discounting the estimated future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents — The carrying amount approximates fair value.
	Available-for-sale Equity Investments — Available-for-sale equity investments are recorded at their fair value based on Level 1 publicly available trading prices.
	Borrowings Under Unsecured Line of Credit Arrangements — The carrying amount of the unsecured line of credit arrangements approximates fair value because the borrowings are interest rate adjustable.
	Senior Unsecured Notes — The fair value of the senior unsecured notes payable was estimated based on Level 1 publicly available trading prices.
	Secured Debt — The fair value of fixed rate secured debt is estimated using Level 2 inputs by discounting the estimated future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities. The carrying amount of variable rate secured debt approximates fair value because the borrowings are interest rate adjustable.
	Interest Rate Swap Agreements — Interest rate swap agreements are recorded in other assets or other liabilities on the balance sheet at fair market value. Fair market value is estimated using Level 2 inputs by utilizing pricing models that consider forward yield curves and discount rates.
	Foreign Currency Forward Contracts — Foreign currency forward contracts are recorded in other assets or other liabilities on the balance sheet at fair market value. Fair market value is determined using Level 2 inputs by estimating the future value of the currency pair based on existing exchange rates, comprised of current spot and traded forward points, and calculating a present value of the net amount using a discount factor based on observable traded interest rates.
	The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our financial instruments are as follows (in thousands):
				30-Sep-13						31-Dec-12
				Carrying Amount			Fair Value			Carrying Amount			Fair Value
	Financial assets:
		Mortgage loans receivable		$	131,138		$	133,554		$	87,955		$	88,975
		Other real estate loans receivable			176,239			182,153			807,710			820,195
		Available-for-sale equity investments			1,037			1,037			1,384			1,384
		Cash and cash equivalents			164,838			164,838			1,033,764			1,033,764
		Foreign currency forward contracts			7,669			7,669			0			0
	Financial liabilities:
		Borrowings under unsecured line of credit arrangements		$	847,670		$	847,670		$	0		$	0
		Senior unsecured notes			6,395,638			6,806,353			6,114,151			6,793,424
		Secured debt			3,115,862			3,262,955			2,336,196			2,515,145
		Interest rate swap agreements			68			68			264			264
		Foreign currency forward contracts			79,544			79,544			7,247			7,247
	U.S. GAAP provides authoritative guidance for measuring and disclosing fair value measurements of assets and liabilities. The guidance defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The guidance also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The guidance describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
	Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2 - Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Please see Note 2 to the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as updated by our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 6, 2013, for additional information.
	Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
	Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
	The market approach is utilized to measure fair value for our financial assets and liabilities reported at fair value on a recurring basis. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. The following summarizes items measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
			Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2013
			Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Available-for-sale equity investments(1)		$	1,037		$	1,037		$	0		$	0
	Interest rate swap agreements(2)			-68			0			-68			0
	Foreign currency forward contracts(2)			-71,875			0			-71,875			0
	Totals		$	-70,906		$	1,037		$	-71,943		$	0
	(1) Unrealized gains or losses on equity investments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at each measurement date.
	(2) Please see Note 11 for additional information.
	Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
	In addition to items that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, we also have assets and liabilities in our balance sheet that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. As these assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis, they are not included in the tables above. Assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include those acquired/assumed in business combinations (see Note 3) and asset impairments (if applicable, see Note 5 for impairments of real property and Note 6 for impairments of loans receivable). We have determined that the fair value measurements included in each of these assets and liabilities rely primarily on company-specific inputs and our assumptions about the use of the assets and settlement of liabilities, as observable inputs are not available. As such, we have determined that each of these fair value measurements generally reside within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. We estimate the fair value of real estate and related intangibles using the income approach and unobservable data such as net operating income and estimated capitalization and discount rates. We also consider local and national industry market data including comparable sales, and commonly engage an external real estate appraiser to assist us in our estimation of fair value. We estimate the fair value of assets held for sale based on current sales price expectations or, in the absence of such price expectations, Level 3 inputs described above. We estimate the fair value of secured debt assumed in business combinations using current interest rates at which similar borrowings could be obtained on the transaction date.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting	'
	17. Segment Reporting
	We invest in seniors housing and health care real estate. We evaluate our business and make resource allocations on our five operating segments: seniors housing triple-net, seniors housing operating, medical office buildings, hospitals and life science. Our seniors housing triple-net properties include skilled nursing/post-acute facilities, assisted living facilities, independent living/continuing care retirement communities and combinations thereof. Under the seniors housing triple-net segment, we invest in seniors housing and health care real estate through acquisition and financing of primarily single tenant properties. Properties acquired are primarily leased under triple-net leases and we are not involved in the management of the property. Our seniors housing operating properties include seniors housing communities that are owned and/or operated through RIDEA structures (see Notes 3 and 18).
	Our medical facility properties include medical office buildings, hospitals and life science buildings which are aggregated into our medical facilities reportable segment. Our medical office buildings are typically leased to multiple tenants and generally require a certain level of property management. Our hospital investments are leased and we are not involved in the management of the property. Our life science investment represents an investment in an unconsolidated entity (see Note 7).
	The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies (see Note 2 to the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as updated by our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 6, 2013). The results of operations for all acquisitions described in Note 3 are included in our consolidated results of operations from the acquisition dates and are components of the appropriate segments. There are no intersegment sales or transfers.
	We evaluate performance based upon net operating income from continuing operations (“NOI”) of each segment. We define NOI as total revenues, including tenant reimbursements, less property level operating expenses. We believe NOI provides investors relevant and useful information because it measures the operating performance of our properties at the property level on an unleveraged basis. We use NOI to make decisions about resource allocations and to assess the property level performance of our properties.
	Non-segment revenue consists mainly of interest income on non-real estate investments and other income. Non-segment assets consist of corporate assets including cash, deferred loan expenses and corporate offices and equipment among others. Non-property specific revenues and expenses are not allocated to individual segments in determining NOI.
	Summary information for the reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013:			Seniors Housing Triple-net		Seniors Housing Operating			Medical Facilities			Non-segment / Corporate			Total
	Rental income		$	199,408	$	-		$	112,323		$	-		$	311,731
	Resident fees and services			-		466,127			-			-			466,127
	Interest income			5,035		-			2,594			-			7,629
	Other income			778		167			466			32			1,443
	Total revenues			205,221		466,294			115,383			32			786,930
	Property operating expenses			-		-311,575			-31,155			-			-342,730
	Net operating income from continuing operations			205,221		154,719			84,228			32			444,200
	Reconciling items:
	Interest expense			-5,968		-24,693			-9,143			-76,726			-116,530
	(Loss) gain on derivatives, net			-4,872		-			-			-			-4,872
	Depreciation and amortization			-58,148		-144,578			-39,942			-			-242,668
	General and administrative			-		-			-			-28,718			-28,718
	Transaction costs			-4,026		-18,882			-683			-			-23,591
	(Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt, net			-		5,252			-			-1,184			4,068
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and income from unconsolidated entities		$	132,207	$	-28,182		$	34,460		$	-106,596		$	31,889
	Total assets		$	9,222,731	$	9,031,224		$	4,645,540		$	150,310		$	23,049,805
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012:			Seniors Housing Triple-net		Seniors Housing Operating			Medical Facilities			Non-segment / Corporate			Total
	Rental income		$	178,193	$	-		$	99,726		$	-		$	277,919
	Resident fees and services			-		174,464			-			-			174,464
	Interest income			6,116		-			1,995			-			8,111
	Other income			662		-			400			277			1,339
	Total revenues			184,971		174,464			102,121			277			461,833
	Property operating expenses			-		-118,369			-26,048			-			-144,417
	Net operating income from continuing operations			184,971		56,095			76,073			277			317,416
	Reconciling items:
	Interest expense			-347		-17,474			-7,940			-66,154			-91,915
	(Loss) gain on derivatives, net			-		-409			-			-			-409
	Depreciation and amortization			-52,294		-39,591			-35,959			-			-127,844
	General and administrative			-		-			-			-23,679			-23,679
	Transaction costs			-5,590		-1,966			-708			-			-8,264
	(Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt, net			-126		-89			-			-			-215
	Provision for loan losses			-27,008		-			-			-			-27,008
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and income from unconsolidated entities		$	99,606	$	-3,434		$	31,466		$	-89,556		$	38,082
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013:			Seniors Housing Triple-net		Seniors Housing Operating			Medical Facilities			Non-segment / Corporate			Total
	Rental income		$	573,112	$	-		$	336,547		$	-		$	909,659
	Resident fees and services			-		1,164,446			-			-			1,164,446
	Interest income			16,311		757			7,257			-			24,325
	Other income			1,183		169			1,539			277			3,168
	Total revenues			590,606		1,165,372			345,343			277			2,101,598
	Property operating expenses			-		-785,050			-89,910			-			-874,960
	Net operating income from continuing operations			590,606		380,322			255,433			277			1,226,638
	Reconciling items:
	Interest expense			-15,841		-63,175			-28,441			-229,128			-336,585
	(Loss) gain on derivatives, net			-4,872		407			-			-			-4,465
	Depreciation and amortization			-169,603		-338,099			-120,998			-			-628,700
	General and administrative			-		-			-			-79,799			-79,799
	Transaction costs			-15,730		-101,006			-971			-			-117,707
	(Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt, net			-		5,560			-			-1,184			4,376
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and income from unconsolidated entities		$	384,560	$	-115,991		$	105,023		$	-309,834		$	63,758
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012:			Seniors Housing Triple-net		Seniors Housing Operating			Medical Facilities			Non-segment / Corporate			Total
	Rental income		$	508,004	$	-		$	281,744		$	-		$	789,748
	Resident fees and services			-		498,295			-			-			498,295
	Interest income			17,977		-			6,154			-			24,131
	Other income			2,268		-			1,482			755			4,505
	Total revenues			528,249		498,295			289,380			755			1,316,679
Property operating expenses			-		-336,952			-72,284			-			-409,236
Net operating income from continuing operations			528,249		161,343			217,096			755			907,443
Reconciling items:
Interest expense			-602		-49,537			-22,338			-198,746			-271,223
(Loss) gain on derivatives, net			-96		1,808			-			-			1,712
Depreciation and amortization			-147,074		-123,820			-102,450			-			-373,344
General and administrative			-		-			-			-77,302			-77,302
Transaction costs			-30,796		-6,365			-5,374			-			-42,535
(Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt, net			-2,363		1,089			483			-			-791
Provision for loan losses			-27,008		-			-			-			-27,008
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and income from unconsolidated entities		$	320,310	$	-15,482		$	87,417		$	-275,293		$	116,952
Our portfolio of properties and other investments are located in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. Revenues and assets are attributed to the country in which the property is physically located. The following is a summary of geographic information for our operations for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
		Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep-13			30-Sep-12				30-Sep-13				30-Sep-12
Revenues:		Amount	%		Amount	%			Amount	%			Amount	%
United States	$	669,968	85.10%	$	454,742	98.50%		$	1,837,068	87.40%		$	1,307,533	99.30%
International		116,962	14.90%		7,091	1.50%			264,530	12.60%			9,146	0.70%
Total	$	786,930	100.00%	$	461,833	100.00%		$	2,101,598	100.00%		$	1,316,679	100.00%
		As of
		30-Sep-13			31-Dec-12
Assets:		Amount	%		Amount	%
United States	$	19,622,576	85.10%	$	18,692,214	95.60%
International		3,427,229	14.90%		856,895	4.40%
Total	$	23,049,805	100.00%	$	19,549,109	100.00%

Income_Taxes_and_Distributions

Income Taxes and Distributions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes And Distributions [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes And Distributions	'
	18. Income Taxes and Distributions
	We elected to be taxed as a REIT commencing with our first taxable year. To qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, at least 90% of taxable income (excluding 100% of net capital gains) must be distributed to stockholders. REITs that do not distribute a certain amount of current year taxable income in the current year are also subject to a 4% federal excise tax. The main differences between undistributed net income for federal income tax purposes and financial statement purposes are the recognition of straight-line rent for reporting purposes, basis differences in acquisitions, recording of impairments, differing useful lives and depreciation and amortization methods for real property and the provision for loan losses for reporting purposes versus bad debt expense for tax purposes.
	Under the provisions of the REIT Investment Diversification and Empowerment Act of 2007 ( “RIDEA”), for taxable years beginning after July 30, 2008, the REIT may lease “qualified health care properties” on an arm’s-length basis to a taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”) if the property is operated on behalf of such subsidiary by a person who qualifies as an “eligible independent contractor.” Generally, the rent received from the TRS will meet the related party rent exception and will be treated as “rents from real property.” A “qualified health care property” includes real property and any personal property that is, or is necessary or incidental to the use of, a hospital, nursing facility, assisted living facility, congregate care facility, qualified continuing care facility, or other licensed facility which extends medical or nursing or ancillary services to patients. We have entered into various joint ventures that were structured under RIDEA. Resident level rents and related operating expenses for these facilities are reported in the consolidated financial statements and are subject to federal and state income taxes as the operations of such facilities are included in a TRS. Certain net operating loss carryforwards could be utilized to offset taxable income in future years.
	Our consolidated provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $7,055,000 and $3,754,000, respectively. Income tax expense reflected in the financial statements primarily represents U.S. federal and state and local income taxes as well as non-U.S. income taxes on certain investments located in jurisdictions outside the U.S. Net deferred tax liabilities with respect to our TRS entities totaled $10,388,000 and $1,419,000 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, and related primarily to differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of fixed and intangible assets and to net operating losses.
	Generally, given current statutes of limitations, we are subject to audit by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for the year ended December 31, 2010 and subsequent years and by state taxing authorities for the year ended December 31, 2009 and subsequent years. We are also subject to audit by the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) and provincial authorities generally for periods subsequent to our Chartwell investment in May 2012 related to entities acquired or formed in connection with the investments, and by HM Revenue & Customs for periods subsequent to our Sunrise-related acquisitions in August 2012 related to entities acquired or formed in connection with the acquisitions.
	We apply the rules under ASC 740-10 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” for uncertain tax positions using a “more likely than not” recognition threshold for tax positions. Pursuant to these rules, we will initially recognize the financial statement effects of a tax position when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits of the tax position, that such a position will be sustained upon examination by the relevant tax authorities. If the tax benefit meets the “more likely than not” threshold, the measurement of the tax benefit will be based on our estimate of the ultimate tax benefit to be sustained if audited by the taxing authority.
	The balance of our unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $6,327,000 and $6,098,000, respectively. As of September 30, 2013, $5,916,000 (exclusive of accrued interest and penalties) relates to the April 1, 2011 Genesis HealthCare Corporation transaction (“Genesis Acquisition”) and is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. As a part of the Genesis Acquisition, we received a full indemnification from FC-GEN Operations Investment, LLC covering income taxes or other taxes as well as interest and penalties relating to tax positions taken by FC-GEN Operations Investment, LLC prior to the acquisition. Accordingly, an offsetting indemnification asset is recorded in receivables and other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. Such indemnification asset is reviewed for collectability periodically. Unrecognized tax benefits, as currently accrued for, have an immaterial impact on the effective tax rate to the extent that they would be recognized. There were insignificant uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2013 for which it is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits would decrease during 2013. Interest and penalties totaled $154,000 and $366,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and are included in income tax expense.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events	'
Subsequent Events	'
	19. Subsequent Events
	Debt Activity. On October 7, 2013, we completed the issuance of $400 million of 4.5% senior unsecured notes due 2024, generating approximately $393 million in proceeds.

Accounting_Policies_and_Relate1

Accounting Policies and Related Matters (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies and Related Matters (Policies) [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with instructions to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily an indication of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. For further information, refer to the financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as updated by our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 6, 2013.
New Accounting Standards	'
	New Accounting Standards
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” which requires companies to provide information about the amounts that are reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component and by the respective line items of net income. The amendment to authoritative guidance associated with comprehensive income was effective for us on January 1, 2013. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Real_Property_Acquisitions_and1

Real Property Acquisitions and Development (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Real property acquisitions and development [Line Items]	'
Pro forma consolidated results of operations	'
				Nine Months Ended
				September 30,			September 30,
				2013			2012
	Revenues			$	2,268,062		$	1,828,395
	Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders			$	-2,079		$	-59,769
	Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders per share:
		Basic		$	-0.01		$	-0.28
		Diluted		$	-0.01		$	-0.28
Estimated fair value of allocated updated purchase price calculation of asset and liabilities	'
			Nine Months Ended
	(In thousands)		September 30, 2013(1)			30-Sep-12
	Land and land improvements			$	56,665		$	79,325
	Buildings and improvements				211,903			935,036
		Total assets acquired			268,568			1,014,361
	Secured debt				-			-86,186
	Accrued expenses and other liabilities				-			-3,340
		Total liabilities assumed			-			-89,526
	Capital in excess of par				-			1,024
	Noncontrolling interests				-			-16,826
	Non-cash acquisition related activity				-			-310
		Cash disbursed for acquisitions			268,568			908,723
	Construction in progress additions				103,951			131,579
	Less:	Capitalized interest			-3,337			-4,228
	Cash disbursed for construction in progress				100,614			127,351
	Capital improvements to existing properties				27,819			48,450
		Total cash invested in real property, net of cash acquired		$	397,001		$	1,084,524
	(1) Includes acquisitions with an aggregate purchase price of $268,568,000 for which the allocation of the purchase price consideration is preliminary and subject to change.
			Nine Months Ended
	(In thousands)		September 30, 2013(1)			30-Sep-12
	Land and land improvements			$	437,046		$	46,391
	Building and improvements				4,214,254			450,255
	Acquired lease intangibles				377,929			39,875
	Restricted cash				41,524			-
	Receivables and other assets				81,546			2,247
		Total assets acquired(2)			5,152,299			538,768
	Secured debt				-1,261,093			-8,684
	Accrued expenses and other liabilities				-86,412			-5,480
		Total liabilities assumed			-1,347,505			-14,164
	Noncontrolling interests				-230,441			-2,054
	Non-cash acquisition related activity(3)				-856,103			-
		Cash disbursed for acquisitions			2,718,250			522,550
	Construction in progress additions				1,521			-
	Less:	Capitalized interest			-18			-
	Cash disbursed for construction in progress				1,503			-
	Capital improvements to existing properties				36,813			13,325
		Total cash invested in real property, net of cash acquired		$	2,756,566		$	535,875
	(1) Includes acquisitions with an aggregate purchase price of $5,152,299,000 for which the allocation of the purchase price consideration is preliminary and subject to change.
	(2) Excludes $87,406,000 and $4,369,000 of cash acquired during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	(3) Represents Sunrise loan and noncontrolling interests acquisitions.
			Nine Months Ended
	(In thousands)		September 30, 2013(1)				30-Sep-12
	Land and land improvements			$	-		$	53,493
	Buildings and improvements				144,708			487,255
	Acquired lease intangibles				-			93,392
	Restricted cash				505			975
	Receivables and other assets				151			4,311
		Total assets acquired			145,364			639,426
	Secured debt				-26,300			-238,589
	Accrued expenses and other liabilities				-479			-18,075
		Total liabilities assumed			-26,779			-256,664
	Non-cash acquisition activity				(12,056)(2)			-880
		Cash disbursed for acquisitions			106,529			381,882
	Construction in progress additions				87,882			94,462
	Less:	Capitalized interest			-1,343			-2,885
		Accruals(3)			-9,806			-4,567
	Cash disbursed for construction in progress				76,733			87,010
	Capital improvements to existing properties				17,887			30,505
		Total cash invested in real property		$	201,149		$	499,397
	(1) Includes acquisitions with an aggregate purchase price of $145,364,000 for which the allocation of purchase price consideration is preliminary and subject to change.
	(2) Represents non-cash consideration exchanged in an asset swap transaction. Please see Note 5 for additional information.
	(3) Represents non-cash accruals for amounts to be paid in future periods relating to properties that converted in the periods noted above.
Summary of construction projects placed into service and generating revenues	'
					Nine Months Ended
					30-Sep-13				30-Sep-12
		Development projects:
			Seniors housing triple-net			$	105,265			$	84,271
			Medical facilities				78,839				111,327
			Total development projects				184,104				195,598
		Expansion projects					14,229				240
	Total construction in progress conversions					$	198,333			$	195,838

Real_Estate_Intangibles_Tables

Real Estate Intangibles (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Real Estate Intangibles (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Summary of real estate intangibles excluding those classified as held for sale	'
				30-Sep-13			31-Dec-12
	Assets:
		In place lease intangibles		$	918,507		$	541,729
		Above market tenant leases			54,091			56,086
		Below market ground leases			61,461			61,450
		Lease commissions			16,483			14,419
		Gross historical cost			1,050,542			673,684
		Accumulated amortization			-472,389			-257,242
		Net book value		$	578,153		$	416,442
		Weighted-average amortization period in years			17.1			16.4
	Liabilities:
		Below market tenant leases		$	76,239		$	77,036
		Above market ground leases			9,490			9,490
		Gross historical cost			85,729			86,526
		Accumulated amortization			-32,894			-27,753
		Net book value		$	52,835		$	58,773
		Weighted-average amortization period in years			14.3			14.3
Schedule of Real Estate Intangible Amortization	'
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013		2012
	Rental income related to above/below market tenant leases, net		$	235		$	-972		$	596	$	452
	Property operating expenses related to above/below market ground leases, net			-303			-555			-909		-1,219
	Depreciation and amortization related to in place lease intangibles and lease commissions			-78,782			-22,271			-168,441		-78,114
Schedule of the future estimated aggregate amortization of intangible assets and liabilities	'
				Assets			Liabilities
	2013		$	93,415		$	1,730
	2014			207,606			6,583
	2015			58,816			5,623
	2016			25,985			5,185
	2017			26,825			4,894
	Thereafter			165,506			28,820
	Totals		$	578,153		$	52,835

Dispositions_Assets_Held_for_S1

Dispositions, Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Dispositions, Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Summary of real property disposition activity	'
			Nine Months Ended
			30-Sep-13			30-Sep-12
	Real property dispositions:
		Seniors housing triple-net		$	138,650		$	149,984
		Medical facilities			201,845			106,347
		Total dispositions			340,495			256,331
	Gain (loss) on sales of real property, net				57,202			46,046
	Non-cash disposition activity(1)				-12,204			0
	Proceeds from real property sales			$	385,493		$	302,377
	(1) Represents non-cash consideration surrendered in an asset swap transaction. Please see Note 3 for additional information.
Reclassification impact as result of classifying properties as discontinued operations	'
					Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
					September 30,					September 30,
				2013		2012			2013		2012
	Revenues:
		Rental income		$	810	$	20,747		$	5,972	$	70,166
	Expenses:
		Interest expense			12		4,328			1,535		15,504
		Property operating expenses			68		281			346		1,469
		Provision for depreciation			313		5,014			1,879		19,899
		Total expenses			393		9,623			3,760		36,872
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net			$	417	$	11,124		$	2,212	$	33,294

Real_Estate_Loans_Receivable_T

Real Estate Loans Receivable (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Real Estate Loans Receivable (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Summary of real estate loan activity	'
			Nine Months Ended
			30-Sep-13						30-Sep-12
			Seniors						Seniors
			Housing		Medical				Housing		Medical
			Triple-net		Facilities		Totals		Triple-net		Facilities		Totals
	Advances on real estate loans receivable:
		Investments in new loans	$	27,392	$	4,095	$	31,487	$	1,154	$	0	$	1,154
		Draws on existing loans		42,772		3,077		45,849		33,710		1,030		34,740
		Net cash advances on real estate loans		70,164		7,172		77,336		34,864		1,030		35,894
	Receipts on real estate loans receivable:
		Loan payoffs		65,768		646		66,414		450		0		450
		Principal payments on loans		16,972		2,169		19,141		14,204		1,923		16,127
		Total receipts on real estate loans		82,740		2,815		85,555		14,654		1,923		16,577
	Net cash advances (receipts) on real estate loans			-12,576		4,357		-8,219		20,210		-893		19,317
	Change in balance due to foreign currency translation			765		0		765		0		0		0
	Net change in real estate loans receivable		$	-11,811	$	4,357	$	-7,454	$	20,210	$	-893	$	19,317

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_1

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments In Unconsolidated Entities (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Summary Of Investments In Unconsolidated Entities [Text Block]	'
		30-Sep-13		Nine Months Ended September 30,				Assets as of
		Percentage Ownership	Properties	2013 Income (loss)		2012 Income (loss)		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Seniors housing triple-net(1)	10% to 49%	-	$	3,680	$	26	$	29,107	$	34,618
	Seniors housing operating	33% to 50%	44		-13,946		-4,090		257,232		217,701
	Medical facilities	36% to 49%	13		6,737		6,314		189,235		186,617
	Total			$	-3,529	$	2,250	$	475,574	$	438,936
	(1) Asset amounts include an available-for-sale equity investment. See Note 16 for additional information.

Credit_Concentration_Tables

Credit Concentration (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Customer Concentration (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Summary of credit concentration	'
			Number of	Total		Percent of
	Concentration by investment:(1)		Properties(2)	Investment(2)		Investment(3)
		Sunrise Senior Living	120	$	4,060,818	19%
		Genesis HealthCare	177		2,662,196	12%
		Revera	47		1,221,148	6%
		Belmont Village	19		859,797	4%
		Benchmark	37		852,960	4%
		Remaining portfolio	740		11,949,624	55%
		Totals	1,140	$	21,606,543	100%
	Genesis is in our seniors housing triple-net segment. Sunrise, Revera, and Belmont Village are in our seniors housing operating segment. Benchmark is in both our seniors housing triple-net and seniors housing operating segments.
	Excludes our share of investments in unconsolidated entities. Please see Note 7 for additional information.
	Investments with our top five relationships comprised 37% of total investments at December 31, 2012.

Borrowings_Under_Line_of_Credi1

Borrowings Under Line of Credit Arrangements and Related Items (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Borrowings Under Line of Credit Arrangement and Related Items (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Aggregate borrowings under the unsecured line of credit arrangements	'
			Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
	Balance outstanding at quarter end		$	847,670	$	0	$	847,670	$	0
	Maximum amount outstanding at any month end		$	1,019,050	$	145,000	$	1,019,050	$	897,000
	Average amount outstanding (total of daily
		principal balances divided by days in period)	$	562,978	$	165,000	$	527,890	$	255,639
	Weighted average interest rate (actual interest
		expense divided by average borrowings outstanding)		1.51%		2.30%		1.43%		1.79%

Senior_Unsecured_Notes_and_Sec1

Senior Unsecured Notes and Secured Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Senior Unsecured Notes And Secured Debt (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Principal payments due on debt obligations	'
		Senior			Secured
		Unsecured Notes(1,2)			Debt (1,3)			Totals
	2013	$	300,000		$	75,866		$	375,866
	2014		0			326,307			326,307
	2015(4)		493,072			403,268			896,340
	2016		1,200,000			384,127			1,584,127
	2017		450,000			341,845			791,845
	Thereafter		3,975,118			1,534,510			5,509,628
	Totals	$	6,418,190		$	3,065,923		$	9,484,113
	(1) Amounts represent principal amounts due and do not include unamortized premiums/discounts or other fair value adjustments as reflected on the balance sheet.
	(2) Annual interest rates range from 2.25% to 6.5%, excluding the Canadian denominated unsecured term loan discussed in footnote 4 and the $500,000,000 unsecured term loan discussed below.
	(3) Annual interest rates range from 1.0% to 9.1%. Carrying value of the properties securing the debt totaled $6,336,955,000 at September 30, 2013.
	(4) On July 30, 2012, we completed funding on a $250,000,000 Canadian denominated unsecured term loan (approximately $243,072,000 USD at exchange rates on September 30, 2013). The loan matures July 27, 2015 (with an option to extend for an additional year at our discretion) and bears interest at the Canadian Dealer Offered Rate plus 145 basis points (2.67% at September 30, 2013).
Summary of senior unsecured note activity excluding the Canadian denominated unsecured term loan	'
		Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep-13					30-Sep-12
					Weighted Avg.					Weighted Avg.
		Amount			Interest Rate		Amount			Interest Rate
	Beginning balance	$	5,894,403		4.68%		$	4,464,927		5.13%
	Debt issued		500,000		1.55%			600,000		4.13%
	Debt extinguished		-		0.00%			-76,853		8.00%
	Debt redeemed		-219,285		3.00%			-293,671		4.75%
	Ending balance	$	6,175,118		4.48%		$	4,694,403		5.03%
Secured debt principal activity	'
			Nine Months Ended
				30-Sep-13				30-Sep-12
						Weighted Avg.					Weighted Avg.
			Amount			Interest Rate		Amount			Interest Rate
	Beginning balance		$	2,311,586		5.14%		$	2,108,373		5.34%
	Debt issued			85,140		5.05%			145,713		4.13%
	Debt assumed			1,241,898		4.11%			311,653		5.71%
	Debt extinguished			-535,367		3.52%			-237,259		4.29%
	Principal payments			-40,006		5.27%			-28,247		5.35%
	Foreign currency			2,672		4.04%			288		5.62%
	Ending balance		$	3,065,923		5.08%		$	2,300,521		5.42%

Derivative_Instruments_Tables

Derivative Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Impact of derivative instruments on the statement of operations and OCI	'
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
		Location		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Gain (loss) on interest rate swap recognized in OCI (effective portion)	OCI	$	-4	$	797	$	-12	$	2,342
	Gain (loss) on interest rate swaps reclassified from AOCI into income (effective portion)	Interest expense		-477		383		-1,428		1,204
	Gain (loss) on interest rate swaps recognized in income	Gain (loss) on derivatives, net		0		0		0		-96
	Gain (loss) on foreign exchange contracts recognized in income	Gain (loss) on derivatives, net		-4,872		-409		-4,465		1,808
	Gain (loss) on foreign exchange contracts and term loans designated as net investment hedge recognized in OCI	OCI		-110,404		-12,663		-19,867		-5,747

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Summary of stockholder's equity capital accounts	'
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Preferred Stock:
	Authorized shares	50,000,000		50,000,000
	Issued shares	26,224,854		26,224,854
	Outstanding shares	26,224,854		26,224,854
	Common Stock, $1.00 par value:
	Authorized shares	400,000,000		400,000,000
	Issued shares	288,821,107		260,780,109
	Outstanding shares	288,360,031		260,373,754
Summary of preferred stock activity	'
		Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep-13				30-Sep-12
				Weighted Avg.				Weighted Avg.
		Shares		Dividend Rate		Shares		Dividend Rate
	Beginning balance	26,224,854		6.49%		25,724,854		7.01%
	Shares issued	-		0.00%		11,500,000		6.50%
	Shares redeemed	-		0.00%		-11,000,000		7.72%
	Ending balance	26,224,854		6.49%		26,224,854		6.49%
Summary of common stock issuances	'
		Shares Issued			Average Price			Gross Proceeds			Net Proceeds
	February 2012 public issuance	20,700,000		$	53.5		$	1,107,450		$	1,062,256
	August 2012 public issuance	13,800,000			58.75			810,750			778,011
	September 2012 public issuance	29,900,000			56			1,674,400			1,607,140
	2012 Dividend reinvestment plan issuances	1,485,598			55.65			82,678			82,678
	2012 Option exercises	155,195			39.61			6,147			6,147
	2012 Senior note conversions	1,039,721						0			0
	2012 Totals	67,080,514					$	3,681,425		$	3,536,232
	May 2013 public issuance	23,000,000		$	73.5		$	1,690,500		$	1,630,281
	2013 Dividend reinvestment plan issuances	2,379,609			64.62			153,762			153,762
	2013 Option exercises	200,467			42.45			8,509			8,509
	2013 Senior note conversions	987,967						0			0
	2013 Equity issued in acquisition of noncontrolling interest	1,108,917						0			0
	2013 Totals	27,676,960					$	1,852,771		$	1,792,552
Summary of dividend payments	'
		Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep-13						30-Sep-12
		Per Share			Amount			Per Share			Amount
	Common Stock	$	2.295		$	618,992		$	2.22		$	460,936
	Series D Preferred Stock		-			0			0.503			2,012
	Series F Preferred Stock		-			0			0.4872			3,410
	Series H Preferred Stock		2.1438			750			2.1438			750
	Series I Preferred Stock		2.4375			35,039			2.4375			35,039
	Series J Preferred Stock		1.2189			14,016			0.9841			11,316
	Totals				$	668,797					$	513,463
Summary of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)	'
			Unrecognized gains (losses) related to:
			Foreign Currency Translation			Equity Investments			Actuarial losses			Cash Flow Hedges		Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	-881		$	-216		$	-2,974		$	-6,957	$	-11,028
	Other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustments		-13,517			-346			0			-12		-13,875
	Reclassification amount to net income		0			0			0			1,428(1)		1,428
	Net current-period other comprehensive income		-13,517			-346			0			1,416		-12,447
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	-14,398		$	-562		$	-2,974		$	-5,541	$	-23,475
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	0		$	-619		$	-2,748		$	-8,561	$	-11,928
	Other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustments		166			192			0			2,342		2,700
	Reclassification amount to net income		0			0			0			(1,204)(1)		-1,204
	Net current-period other comprehensive income		166			192			0			1,138		1,496
	Balance at September 30, 2012	$	166		$	-427		$	-2,748		$	-7,423	$	-10,432
	(1) Please see Note 11 for additional information.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Computation of basic and diluted earnings per share	'
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
	Numerator for basic and diluted earnings
		per share - net income (loss) attributable
		to common stockholders	$	20,691	$	37,269	$	67,245	$	131,308
	Denominator for basic earnings per
		share - weighted average shares		286,020		224,391		273,148		212,592
	Effect of dilutive securities:
		Employee stock options		196		238		235		240
		Non-vested restricted shares		567		301		417		293
		Convertible senior unsecured notes		1,246		1,328		1,447		950
	Dilutive potential common shares			2,009		1,867		2,099		1,483
	Denominator for diluted earnings per
		share - adjusted weighted average shares		288,029		226,258		275,247		214,075
	Basic earnings per share		$	0.07	$	0.17	$	0.25	$	0.62
	Diluted earnings per share		$	0.07	$	0.16	$	0.24	$	0.61

Disclosure_about_Fair_Value_of1

Disclosure about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments	'
				30-Sep-13						31-Dec-12
				Carrying Amount			Fair Value			Carrying Amount			Fair Value
	Financial assets:
		Mortgage loans receivable		$	131,138		$	133,554		$	87,955		$	88,975
		Other real estate loans receivable			176,239			182,153			807,710			820,195
		Available-for-sale equity investments			1,037			1,037			1,384			1,384
		Cash and cash equivalents			164,838			164,838			1,033,764			1,033,764
		Foreign currency forward contracts			7,669			7,669			0			0
	Financial liabilities:
		Borrowings under unsecured line of credit arrangements		$	847,670		$	847,670		$	0		$	0
		Senior unsecured notes			6,395,638			6,806,353			6,114,151			6,793,424
		Secured debt			3,115,862			3,262,955			2,336,196			2,515,145
		Interest rate swap agreements			68			68			264			264
		Foreign currency forward contracts			79,544			79,544			7,247			7,247
The Market approach utilized to measure fair value of financial assets and liabilities on recurring basis	'
			Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2013
			Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Available-for-sale equity investments(1)		$	1,037		$	1,037		$	0		$	0
	Interest rate swap agreements(2)			-68			0			-68			0
	Foreign currency forward contracts(2)			-71,875			0			-71,875			0
	Totals		$	-70,906		$	1,037		$	-71,943		$	0
	(1) Unrealized gains or losses on equity investments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at each measurement date.
	(2) Please see Note 11 for additional information.

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting (Tables) [Abstract]	'
Summary of information for reportable segments	'
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013:			Seniors Housing Triple-net		Seniors Housing Operating			Medical Facilities			Non-segment / Corporate			Total
	Rental income		$	199,408	$	-		$	112,323		$	-		$	311,731
	Resident fees and services			-		466,127			-			-			466,127
	Interest income			5,035		-			2,594			-			7,629
	Other income			778		167			466			32			1,443
	Total revenues			205,221		466,294			115,383			32			786,930
	Property operating expenses			-		-311,575			-31,155			-			-342,730
	Net operating income from continuing operations			205,221		154,719			84,228			32			444,200
	Reconciling items:
	Interest expense			-5,968		-24,693			-9,143			-76,726			-116,530
	(Loss) gain on derivatives, net			-4,872		-			-			-			-4,872
	Depreciation and amortization			-58,148		-144,578			-39,942			-			-242,668
	General and administrative			-		-			-			-28,718			-28,718
	Transaction costs			-4,026		-18,882			-683			-			-23,591
	(Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt, net			-		5,252			-			-1,184			4,068
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and income from unconsolidated entities		$	132,207	$	-28,182		$	34,460		$	-106,596		$	31,889
	Total assets		$	9,222,731	$	9,031,224		$	4,645,540		$	150,310		$	23,049,805
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012:			Seniors Housing Triple-net		Seniors Housing Operating			Medical Facilities			Non-segment / Corporate			Total
	Rental income		$	178,193	$	-		$	99,726		$	-		$	277,919
	Resident fees and services			-		174,464			-			-			174,464
	Interest income			6,116		-			1,995			-			8,111
	Other income			662		-			400			277			1,339
	Total revenues			184,971		174,464			102,121			277			461,833
	Property operating expenses			-		-118,369			-26,048			-			-144,417
	Net operating income from continuing operations			184,971		56,095			76,073			277			317,416
	Reconciling items:
	Interest expense			-347		-17,474			-7,940			-66,154			-91,915
	(Loss) gain on derivatives, net			-		-409			-			-			-409
	Depreciation and amortization			-52,294		-39,591			-35,959			-			-127,844
	General and administrative			-		-			-			-23,679			-23,679
	Transaction costs			-5,590		-1,966			-708			-			-8,264
	(Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt, net			-126		-89			-			-			-215
	Provision for loan losses			-27,008		-			-			-			-27,008
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and income from unconsolidated entities		$	99,606	$	-3,434		$	31,466		$	-89,556		$	38,082
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013:			Seniors Housing Triple-net		Seniors Housing Operating			Medical Facilities			Non-segment / Corporate			Total
	Rental income		$	573,112	$	-		$	336,547		$	-		$	909,659
	Resident fees and services			-		1,164,446			-			-			1,164,446
	Interest income			16,311		757			7,257			-			24,325
	Other income			1,183		169			1,539			277			3,168
	Total revenues			590,606		1,165,372			345,343			277			2,101,598
	Property operating expenses			-		-785,050			-89,910			-			-874,960
	Net operating income from continuing operations			590,606		380,322			255,433			277			1,226,638
	Reconciling items:
	Interest expense			-15,841		-63,175			-28,441			-229,128			-336,585
	(Loss) gain on derivatives, net			-4,872		407			-			-			-4,465
	Depreciation and amortization			-169,603		-338,099			-120,998			-			-628,700
	General and administrative			-		-			-			-79,799			-79,799
	Transaction costs			-15,730		-101,006			-971			-			-117,707
	(Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt, net			-		5,560			-			-1,184			4,376
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and income from unconsolidated entities		$	384,560	$	-115,991		$	105,023		$	-309,834		$	63,758
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012:			Seniors Housing Triple-net		Seniors Housing Operating			Medical Facilities			Non-segment / Corporate			Total
	Rental income		$	508,004	$	-		$	281,744		$	-		$	789,748
	Resident fees and services			-		498,295			-			-			498,295
	Interest income			17,977		-			6,154			-			24,131
	Other income			2,268		-			1,482			755			4,505
	Total revenues			528,249		498,295			289,380			755			1,316,679
	Property operating expenses			-		-336,952			-72,284			-			-409,236
	Net operating income from continuing operations			528,249		161,343			217,096			755			907,443
	Reconciling items:
	Interest expense			-602		-49,537			-22,338			-198,746			-271,223
	(Loss) gain on derivatives, net			-96		1,808			-			-			1,712
	Depreciation and amortization			-147,074		-123,820			-102,450			-			-373,344
	General and administrative			-		-			-			-77,302			-77,302
Transaction costs			-30,796		-6,365			-5,374			-			-42,535
(Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt, net			-2,363		1,089			483			-			-791
Provision for loan losses			-27,008		-			-			-			-27,008
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and income from unconsolidated entities		$	320,310	$	-15,482		$	87,417		$	-275,293		$	116,952
		Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep-13			30-Sep-12				30-Sep-13				30-Sep-12
Revenues:		Amount	%		Amount	%			Amount	%			Amount	%
United States	$	669,968	85.10%	$	454,742	98.50%		$	1,837,068	87.40%		$	1,307,533	99.30%
International		116,962	14.90%		7,091	1.50%			264,530	12.60%			9,146	0.70%
Total	$	786,930	100.00%	$	461,833	100.00%		$	2,101,598	100.00%		$	1,316,679	100.00%
		As of
		30-Sep-13			31-Dec-12
Assets:		Amount	%		Amount	%
United States	$	19,622,576	85.10%	$	18,692,214	95.60%
International		3,427,229	14.90%		856,895	4.40%
Total	$	23,049,805	100.00%	$	19,549,109	100.00%

Business_Details

Business (Details)	Sep. 30, 2013
	Number
	properties
Business [Line Items]	'
Number of properties in diversified portfolio	1,140	[1],[2]
Number of states in diversified portfolio	46
Controlling [Member]	'
Business [Line Items]	'
Number of properties in diversified portfolio	1,197
[1]	Excludes our share of investments in unconsolidated entities. Please see Note 7 for additional information.
[2]	Genesis is in our seniors housing triple-net segment. Sunrise, Revera, and Belmont Village are in our seniors housing operating segment. Benchmark is in both our seniors housing triple-net and seniors housing operating segments.

Real_Property_Acquisitions_and2

Real Property Acquisitions and Development (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Pro forma consolidated results of operations	'	'
Revenues	$2,268,062,000	$1,828,395,000
Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders	($2,079,000)	($59,769,000)
Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders per share:	'	'
Basic	($0.01)	($0.28)
Diluted	($0.01)	($0.28)

Real_Property_Acquisitions_and3

Real Property Acquisitions and Development (Details 1) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Estimated Fair Value of Allocated Purchase Price of Asset and Liabilities	'		'
Purchase price, preliminary	$91,000,000		'
Senior housing - triple net [Member]	'		'
Estimated Fair Value of Allocated Purchase Price of Asset and Liabilities	'		'
Land and land improvements	56,665,000	[1]	79,325,000
Buildings and improvements	211,903,000	[1]	935,036,000
Total assets acquired	268,568,000	[1]	1,014,361,000
Secured debt	0		-86,186,000
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	0		-3,340,000
Total liabilities assumed	0		-89,526,000
Capital in excess of par	0		1,024,000
Noncontrolling interests	0		-16,826,000
Non-cash acquisition related activity	0		-310,000
Cash disbursed for acquisitions	268,568,000	[1]	908,723,000
Construction in progress additions	103,951,000		131,579,000
Less: Capitalized Interest	-3,337,000	[1]	-4,228,000
Cash disbursed for construction in progress	100,614,000	[1]	127,351,000
Capital improvements to existing properties	27,819,000	[1]	48,450,000
Total cash invested in real property	397,001,000	[1]	1,084,524,000
Purchase price, preliminary	268,568,000		'
Senior housing - operating [Member]	'		'
Estimated Fair Value of Allocated Purchase Price of Asset and Liabilities	'		'
Land and land improvements	437,046,000	[2]	46,391,000
Buildings and improvements	4,214,254,000	[2]	450,255,000
Acquired lease intangibles	377,929,000	[2]	39,875,000
Restricted cash	41,524,000	[2]	0
Receivables and other assets	81,546,000	[2]	2,247,000
Total assets acquired	5,152,299,000	[2],[3]	538,768,000	[3]
Secured debt	-1,261,093,000	[2]	-8,684,000
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	-86,412,000	[2]	-5,480,000
Total liabilities assumed	-1,347,505,000	[2]	-14,164,000
Noncontrolling interests	-230,441,000	[2]	-2,054,000
Non-cash acquisition related activity	-856,103,000	[2],[4]	0
Cash disbursed for acquisitions	2,718,250,000	[2]	522,550,000
Construction in progress additions	1,521,000		0
Less: Capitalized Interest	-18,000	[2]	0
Cash disbursed for construction in progress	1,503,000	[2]	0
Capital improvements to existing properties	36,813,000	[2]	13,325,000
Total cash invested in real property	2,756,566,000	[2]	535,875,000
Cash Acquired from Acquisition	87,406,000		4,369,000
Purchase price, preliminary	5,152,299,000		'
Medical facilities [Member]	'		'
Estimated Fair Value of Allocated Purchase Price of Asset and Liabilities	'		'
Land and land improvements	0	[5]	53,493,000
Buildings and improvements	144,708,000	[5]	487,255,000
Acquired lease intangibles	0	[5]	93,392,000
Restricted cash	505,000	[5]	975,000
Receivables and other assets	151,000	[5]	4,311,000
Total assets acquired	145,364,000	[5]	639,426,000
Secured debt	-26,300,000	[5]	-238,589,000
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	-479,000	[5]	-18,075,000
Total liabilities assumed	-26,779,000	[5]	-256,664,000
Non-cash acquisition related activity	-12,056,000	[5],[6]	-880,000
Cash disbursed for acquisitions	106,529,000	[5]	381,882,000
Construction in progress additions	87,882,000		94,462,000
Less: Capitalized Interest	-1,343,000	[5]	-2,885,000
Less: Accruals	-9,806,000	[5],[7]	-4,567,000	[7]
Cash disbursed for construction in progress	76,733,000	[5]	87,010,000
Capital improvements to existing properties	17,887,000	[5]	30,505,000
Total cash invested in real property	201,149,000	[5]	499,397,000
Purchase price, preliminary	$145,364,000		'
[1]	(1) Includes acquisitions with an aggregate purchase price of $268,568,000 for which the allocation of the purchase price consideration is preliminary and subject to change.
[2]	(1) Includes acquisitions with an aggregate purchase price of $5,152,299,000 for which the allocation of the purchase price consideration is preliminary and subject to change.
[3]	(2) Excludes $87,406,000 and $4,369,000 of cash acquired during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
[4]	(3) Represents Sunrise loan and noncontrolling interests acquisitions.
[5]	(1) Includes acquisitions with an aggregate purchase price of $145,364,000 for which the allocation of purchase price consideration is preliminary and subject to change.
[6]	(2) Represents non-cash consideration exchanged in an asset swap transaction. Please see Note 5 for additional information.
[7]	(3) Represents non-cash accruals for amounts to be paid in future periods relating to properties that converted in the periods noted above.

Real_Property_Acquisitions_and4

Real Property Acquisitions and Development (Details 2) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Development projects:	'	'
Total development projects	$184,104,000	$195,598,000
Expansion projects	14,229,000	240,000
Total construction in progress conversions	198,333,000	195,838,000
Medical facilities [Member]	'	'
Development projects:	'	'
Total development projects	78,839,000	111,327,000
Seniors Housing Facilities Triple Net [Member]	'	'
Development projects:	'	'
Total development projects	$105,265,000	$84,271,000

Real_Property_Acquisitions_and5

Real Property Acquisitions and Development (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		7 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Aug. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013
					Medical facilities [Member]	Sunrise [Member]	Sunrise [Member]	Sunrise [Member]	Sunrise [Member]	Sunrise [Member]	Sunrise [Member]
									Controlling [Member]	Non Controlling [Member]	Non Controlling [Member]
									properties	properties	properties
Real Property Acquisitions and Development (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Properties acquired	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	120	5	49
Total purchase price	$91,000,000	'	$91,000,000	'	$145,364,000	$4,155,052,000	$4,155,052,000	'	'	'	'
Cash paid for acquisition	'	'	'	'	'	2,456,011,000	2,456,011,000	'	'	'	'
Purchase price per share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$14.50	'	'	'
Revenues	786,930,000	461,833,000	2,101,598,000	1,316,679,000	'	201,941,000	443,221,000	'	'	'	'
Net Operating Income	444,200,000	317,416,000	1,226,638,000	907,443,000	'	65,942,000	145,264,000	'	'	'	'
Transaction costs	$23,591,000	$8,264,000	$117,707,000	$42,535,000	'	'	$72,337,000	'	'	'	'

Real_Estate_Intangibles_Detail

Real Estate Intangibles (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets:	'	'
Gross historical cost	$1,050,542,000	$673,684,000
Accumulated amortization	-472,389,000	-257,242,000
Net book value	578,153,000	416,442,000
Weighted-average amortization period in years	'17 years 1 month	'16 years 4 months
Liabilities:	'	'
Gross historical cost	85,729,000	86,526,000
Accumulated amortization	-32,894,000	-27,753,000
Net book value	52,835,000	58,773,000
Weighted-average amortization period in years	'14 years 3 months	'14 years 3 months
Intangible Liability [Member]	'	'
Estimated Aggregate Amortization Expense For Acquired Lease Intangibles Expected To Be Recognized [Line Items]	'	'
2013	1,730,000	'
2014	6,583,000	'
2015	5,623,000	'
2016	5,185,000	'
2017	4,894,000	'
Thereafter	28,820,000	'
Totals	52,835,000	'
Intangible Asset [Member]	'	'
Estimated Aggregate Amortization Expense For Acquired Lease Intangibles Expected To Be Recognized [Line Items]	'	'
2013	93,415,000	'
2014	207,606,000	'
2015	58,816,000	'
2016	25,985,000	'
2017	26,825,000	'
Thereafter	165,506,000	'
Totals	578,153,000	'
In place lease intangibles [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Gross historical cost	918,507,000	541,729,000
Above market tenant leases [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Gross historical cost	54,091,000	56,086,000
Below market ground leases [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Gross historical cost	61,461,000	61,450,000
Lease commissions [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Gross historical cost	16,483,000	14,419,000
Below market tenant leases [Member]	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Gross historical cost	76,239,000	77,036,000
Above market ground leases [Member]	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Gross historical cost	$9,490,000	$9,490,000

Real_Estate_Intangibles_Detail1

Real Estate Intangibles (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Real Estate Intangible Amortization [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Rental income related to above/below market tenant leases, net	$235,000	($972,000)	$596,000	$452,000
Property operating expenses related to above/below market ground leases, net	-303,000	-555,000	-909,000	-1,219,000
Depreciation and amortization related to in place lease intangibles and lease commissions	($78,782,000)	($22,271,000)	($168,441,000)	($78,114,000)

Dispositions_Assets_Held_for_S2

Dispositions, Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Real property dispositions:	'	'	'		'
Total dispositions	'	'	$340,495,000		$256,331,000
Gain (loss) on sales of properties, net	4,707,000	12,827,000	57,202,000		46,046,000
Noncash disposition activity	'	'	-12,204,000	[1]	0
Proceeds from sales of real property	'	'	385,493,000		302,377,000
Revenues:	'	'	'		'
Rental income	810,000	20,747,000	5,972,000		70,166,000
Expenses:	'	'	'		'
Interest expense	12,000	4,328,000	1,535,000		15,504,000
Property operating expenses	68,000	281,000	346,000		1,469,000
Provision for depreciation	313,000	5,014,000	1,879,000		19,899,000
Expenses	393,000	9,623,000	3,760,000		36,872,000
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net	417,000	11,124,000	2,212,000		33,294,000
Seniors Housing Facilities Triple Net [Member]	'	'	'		'
Real property dispositions:	'	'	'		'
Total dispositions	'	'	138,650,000		149,984,000
Medical facilities [Member]	'	'	'		'
Real property dispositions:	'	'	'		'
Total dispositions	'	'	$201,845,000		$106,347,000
[1]	(1) Represents non-cash consideration surrendered in an asset swap transaction. Please see Note 3 for additional information.

Real_Estate_Loans_Receivable_D

Real Estate Loans Receivable (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Advances on real estate loans receivable:	'	'
Investments in new loans	$31,487,000	$1,154,000
Draws on existing loans	45,849,000	34,740,000
Net cash advances on real estate loans	77,336,000	35,894,000
Receipts on real estate loans receivable:	'	'
Loan payoffs	66,414,000	450,000
Principal payments on loans	19,141,000	16,127,000
Total receipts on real estate loans	85,555,000	16,577,000
Net advances (receipts) on real estate loans	-8,219,000	19,317,000
Change in balance due to foreign currency translation	765,000	0
Net Change Real Estate Loans Receivable	-7,454,000	19,317,000
Seniors Housing Facilities Triple Net [Member]	'	'
Advances on real estate loans receivable:	'	'
Investments in new loans	27,392,000	1,154,000
Draws on existing loans	42,772,000	33,710,000
Net cash advances on real estate loans	70,164,000	34,864,000
Receipts on real estate loans receivable:	'	'
Loan payoffs	65,768,000	450,000
Principal payments on loans	16,972,000	14,204,000
Total receipts on real estate loans	82,740,000	14,654,000
Net advances (receipts) on real estate loans	-12,576,000	20,210,000
Change in balance due to foreign currency translation	765,000	0
Net Change Real Estate Loans Receivable	-11,811,000	20,210,000
Medical facilities [Member]	'	'
Advances on real estate loans receivable:	'	'
Investments in new loans	4,095,000	0
Draws on existing loans	3,077,000	1,030,000
Net cash advances on real estate loans	7,172,000	1,030,000
Receipts on real estate loans receivable:	'	'
Loan payoffs	646,000	0
Principal payments on loans	2,169,000	1,923,000
Total receipts on real estate loans	2,815,000	1,923,000
Net advances (receipts) on real estate loans	4,357,000	-893,000
Change in balance due to foreign currency translation	0	0
Net Change Real Estate Loans Receivable	$4,357,000	($893,000)

Real_Estate_Loans_Receivable_D1

Real Estate Loans Receivable (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Real Estate Loans Receivable (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Provision for loan losses	$0	$27,008,000	$0	$27,008,000
Real estate loans with outstanding balances	$2,650,000	'	$2,650,000	'

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_2

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

7 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Senior housing - triple net [Member]

Senior housing - triple net [Member]

Senior housing - triple net [Member]

Senior housing - operating [Member]

Senior housing - operating [Member]

Senior housing - operating [Member]

Medical facilities [Member]

Medical facilities [Member]

Medical facilities [Member]

Strategic Medical Office Partnership [Member]

Strategic Medical Office Partnership [Member]

Strategic Medical Office Partnership [Member]

Chartwell [Member]

Chartwell [Member]

Chartwell [Member]

Chartwell [Member]

Chartwell [Member]

Forest City [Member]

Sunrise [Member]

Sunrise [Member]

Sunrise [Member]

Management Buyer [Member]

properties

properties

properties

properties

Controlling [Member]

Non Controlling [Member]

properties

Controlling [Member]

Non Controlling [Member]

Non Controlling [Member]

properties

Controlling [Member]

Non Controlling [Member]

properties

properties

properties

properties

properties

properties

properties

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income from unconsolidated entities

($331,000)

($739,000)

($3,529,000)

$2,250,000

'

$3,680,000

$26,000

'

($13,946,000)

($4,090,000)

'

$6,737,000

$6,314,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Investments

475,574,000

'

475,574,000

'

438,936,000

29,107,000

[1]

'

34,618,000

[1]

257,232,000

'

217,701,000

189,235,000

'

186,617,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

49,759,000

'

'

'

Investment Percentage Range

'

'

'

'

'

'10% to 49%

'

'

'33% to 50%

'

'

'36% to 49%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of properties in portfolio

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

44

'

'

13

'

'

17

11

6

'

42

3

39

39

7

'

'

54

'

Percentage of partnership owned

20.00%

'

20.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

49.00%

'

'

'

20.00%

Unamortized investment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$9,488,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Real Property Acquisitions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

49

'

'

[1]

(1) Asset amounts include an available-for-sale equity investment. See Note 16 for additional information.

Credit_Concentration_Details

Credit Concentration (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
	properties
Concentration by investment:	'		'
Number of properties in diversified portfolio	1,140	[1],[2]	'
Net real estate investments	$21,606,543,000	[1],[2]	$17,423,009,000
Percent of Investment	100.00%	[2],[3]	'
Credit Concentration (Textual) [Abstract]	'		'
Percentage total investments with top five customers	'		37.00%
Genesis HealthCare [Member]	'		'
Concentration by investment:	'		'
Number of properties in diversified portfolio	177	[1],[2]	'
Net real estate investments	2,662,196,000	[1],[2]	'
Percent of Investment	12.00%	[2],[3]	'
Benchmark Senior Living [Member]	'		'
Concentration by investment:	'		'
Number of properties in diversified portfolio	37	[1],[2]	'
Net real estate investments	852,960,000	[1],[2]	'
Percent of Investment	4.00%	[2],[3]	'
Remaining Portfolio [Member]	'		'
Concentration by investment:	'		'
Number of properties in diversified portfolio	740	[1],[2]	'
Net real estate investments	11,949,624,000	[1],[2]	'
Percent of Investment	55.00%	[2],[3]	'
Belmont Village [Member]	'		'
Concentration by investment:	'		'
Number of properties in diversified portfolio	19	[1],[2]	'
Net real estate investments	859,797,000	[1],[2]	'
Percent of Investment	4.00%	[2],[3]	'
Sunrise Senior Living [Member]	'		'
Concentration by investment:	'		'
Number of properties in diversified portfolio	120	[1],[2]	'
Net real estate investments	4,060,818,000	[1],[2]	'
Percent of Investment	19.00%	[2],[3]	'
Revera [Member]	'		'
Concentration by investment:	'		'
Number of properties in diversified portfolio	47	[1],[2]	'
Net real estate investments	$1,221,148,000	[1],[2]	'
Percent of Investment	6.00%	[2],[3]	'
[1]	Excludes our share of investments in unconsolidated entities. Please see Note 7 for additional information.
[2]	Genesis is in our seniors housing triple-net segment. Sunrise, Revera, and Belmont Village are in our seniors housing operating segment. Benchmark is in both our seniors housing triple-net and seniors housing operating segments.
[3]	Investments with our top five relationships comprised 37% of total investments at December 31, 2012.

Borrowings_Under_Line_of_Credi2

Borrowings Under Line of Credit Arrangements and Related Items (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Aggregate borrowings under the unsecured line of credit arrangements	'	'	'	'	'
Balance outstanding at quarter end	$847,670,000	'	$847,670,000	'	$0
Maximum amount outstanding at any month end	1,019,050,000	145,000,000	1,019,050,000	897,000,000	'
Average amount outstanding (total of daily principal balances divided by days in period)	$562,978,000	$165,000,000	$527,890,000	$255,639,000	'
Weighted average interest rate (actual interest expense divided by average borrowings outstanding)	1.51%	2.30%	1.43%	1.79%	'

Borrowings_Under_Line_of_Credi3

Borrowings Under Line of Credit Arrangements and Related Items (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	Number
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Unsecured line of credit arrangement	$2,250,000,000
Additional unsecured line of credit arrangement	1,000,000,000
Maximum aggregate commitment	3,250,000,000
Number of banks in consortium	29
Maximum Interest payable period in months	'3
Available to borrow in alternate currencies	500,000,000
Agent bank's prime rate of interest	1.35%
Interest Rate margin	1.18%
Annual facility fee for each bank based on commitment amount	0.23%
Unsecured Revolving Demand Note	10,000,000
Unsecured Revolving Demand Note Rate	1.11%
Debt instrument maturity date	31-Mar-17
Balance outstanding at quarter end	847,670,000
United States [Member]	'
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Agent bank's prime rate of interest	1.36%
Balance outstanding at quarter end	595,000,000
United Kingdom [Member]	'
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Agent bank's prime rate of interest	1.67%
Balance outstanding at quarter end	$242,670,000

Senior_Unsecured_Notes_and_Sec2

Senior Unsecured Notes and Secured Debt (Details)	9 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Oct. 07, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
	USD ($)		USD ($)	USD ($)	Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]		Secured Debt [Member]		Canadian Denominated Unsecured Term Loan [Member]	Canadian Denominated Unsecured Term Loan [Member]	Unsecured Line of Credit Term Loan [Member]
					USD ($)		USD ($)		USD ($)	CAD	USD ($)
Principal payments due on debt obligations	'		'	'	'		'		'	'	'
2013	$375,866,000		'	'	$300,000,000	[1],[2]	$75,866,000	[1],[3]	'	'	'
2014	326,307,000		'	'	0	[1],[2]	326,307,000	[1],[3]	'	'	'
2015	896,340,000	[4]	'	'	493,072,000	[1],[2],[4]	403,268,000	[1],[3],[4]	'	'	'
2016	1,584,127,000		'	'	1,200,000,000	[1],[2]	384,127,000	[1],[3]	'	'	'
2017	791,845,000		'	'	450,000,000	[1],[2]	341,845,000	[1],[3]	'	'	'
Thereafter	5,509,628,000		'	'	3,975,118,000	[1],[2]	1,534,510,000	[1],[3]	'	'	'
Totals	9,484,113,000		'	'	6,418,190,000	[1],[2]	3,065,923,000	[1],[3]	'	'	'
Senior Unsecured Notes and Secured Debt (Textual) [Abstract]	'		'	'	'		'		'	'	'
Notes, annual stated interest rates, Minimum	'		'	'	2.25%		1.00%		'	'	'
Notes, annual stated interest rates, Maximum	'		'	'	6.50%		9.10%		'	'	'
Interest rate	'		4.50%	'	'		'		2.67%	2.67%	1.53%
Senior unsecured notes issued amount	'		400,000,000	'	'		'		'	'	'
Senior unsecured notes	6,395,638,000		'	6,114,151,000	'		'		243,072,000	250,000,000	500,000,000
Secured debt	3,115,862,000		'	2,336,196,000	'		'		'	'	'
Carrying values of properties securing the debt	$6,336,955,000		'	'	'		'		'	'	'
Interest Rate margin	1.18%		'	'	'		'		1.45%	1.45%	1.35%
Debt instrument maturity date	31-Mar-17		'	'	'		'		27-Jul-15	27-Jul-15	31-Mar-16
Loan Extension Period	'2 years 0 months		'	'	'		'		'	'	'
[1]	(1) Amounts represent principal amounts due and do not include unamortized premiums/discounts or other fair value adjustments as reflected on the balance sheet.
[2]	(2) Annual interest rates range from 2.25% to 6.5%, excluding the Canadian denominated unsecured term loan discussed in footnote 4 and the $500,000,000 unsecured term loan discussed below.
[3]	(3) Annual interest rates range from 1.0% to 9.1%. Carrying value of the properties securing the debt totaled $6,336,955,000 at September 30, 2013.
[4]	(4) On July 30, 2012, we completed funding on a $250,000,000 Canadian denominated unsecured term loan (approximately $243,072,000 USD at exchange rates on September 30, 2013). The loan matures July 27, 2015 (with an option to extend for an additional year at our discretion) and bears interest at the Canadian Dealer Offered Rate plus 145 basis points (2.67% at September 30, 2013).

Senior_Unsecured_Notes_and_Sec3

Senior Unsecured Notes and Secured Debt (Details 1) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Unsecured note issuances	'	'	'	'
Senior unsecured debt issued	$497,862,000	$842,323,000	'	'
Senior unsecured debt redeemed	217,615,000	370,524,000	'	'
Excluding Fair Value Adjustments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Unsecured note issuances	'	'	'	'
Senior unsecured debt balance	6,175,118,000	4,694,403,000	5,894,403,000	4,464,927,000
Senior unsecured debt issued	500,000,000	600,000,000	'	'
Senior unsecured debt extinguished	0	-76,853,000	'	'
Senior unsecured debt redeemed	($219,285,000)	($293,671,000)	'	'
Senior unsecured debt balance average rate	0.0448	0.0503	0.04675	0.05133
Senior unsecured debt issued average rate	0.01552	0.04125	'	'
Senior unsecured debt extinguished average rate	0	0.08	'	'
Senior unsecured debt redeemed average rate	0.03	0.0475	'	'

Senior_Unsecured_Notes_and_Sec4

Senior Unsecured Notes and Secured Debt (Details 2) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Secured debt principal activity	'	'	'	'
Secured debt issued	$85,140,000	$145,713,000	'	'
Secured debt extinguished	575,373,000	272,399,000	'	'
Excluding Fair Value Adjustments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Secured debt principal activity	'	'	'	'
Secured debt principal balance	3,065,923,000	2,300,520,800	2,311,586,000	2,108,373,000
Secured debt issued	85,140,000	145,713,000	'	'
Secured debt assumed	1,241,898,000	311,653,000	'	'
Secured debt extinguished	-535,367,000	-237,259,000	'	'
Secured debt principal payments	-40,006,000	-28,247,000	'	'
Secured debt foreign currency	$2,672,000	$287,800	'	'
Secured debt principal balance average rate	0.0508	0.0542	0.0514	0.0534
Secured debt principal issued average rate	0.0505	0.0413	'	'
Secured debt principal assumed average rate	0.0411	0.0571	'	'
Secured debt principal extinguished average rate	0.0352	0.0429	'	'
Secured debt principal payment average rate	0.0527	0.0535	'	'
Secured debt principal foreign currency average rate	0.0404	0.0562	'	'

Derivative_Instruments_Details

Derivative Instruments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in income	$4,872,000	$409,000	$4,465,000	($1,712,000)
Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI	-4,000	797,000	-12,000	2,342,000
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income	-477,000	383,000	-1,428,000	1,204,000
Gain (loss) recognized in income	0	0	0	-96,000
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI	-110,404,000	-12,663,000	-19,867,000	-5,747,000
Gain (loss) recognized in income	($4,872,000)	($409,000)	($4,465,000)	$1,808,000

Derivative_Instruments_Details1

Derivative Instruments (Details Textual)

3 Months Ended

4 Months Ended

5 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

7 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Mar. 22, 2013

Mar. 30, 2013

3-May-12

22-May-13

Jul. 12, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Jul. 12, 2013

22-May-13

Apr. 04, 2013

Jan. 15, 2013

Sep. 17, 2012

Sep. 17, 2012

Aug. 30, 2012

Jul. 30, 2012

3-May-12

Feb. 15, 2012

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

GBP (£)

CAD

CAD

GBP (£)

CAD

GBP (£)

GBP (£)

CAD

CAD

CAD

Number

Number

Number

Number

Number

Number

Number

Derivative Instruments (Textual) [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of foreign currency derivatives held

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

3

3

3

3

2

2

'

'

'

'

Number of interest rate derivatives held

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notional amount of foreign currency derivatives

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

£ 144,411,000

£ 675,000,000

600,000,000

600,000,000

£ 675,000,000

14,000,000

£ 23,000,000

£ 125,000,000

250,000,000

250,000,000

250,000,000

Notional amount of interest rate swap

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,692,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reclassification period of cash flow hedges

'

'

'

'

'

'

'0 years 12 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Swap Maturity Date

'

'

31-Jul-12

'

31-Dec-13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Hedging losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income

($2,309,000)

$13,071,000

$2,772,000

($10,355,000)

$63,514,000

($4,872,000)

($1,910,000)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
	Number		Number
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of outstanding letters of credit	6	'	6	'	'
Letter of credit obligation	$5,658,000	'	$5,658,000	'	'
Outstanding construction financings for leased properties	158,006,000	'	158,006,000	'	162,984,000
Additional financing to complete construction	261,625,000	'	261,625,000	'	'
Total contingent purchase obligations	59,561,000	'	59,561,000	'	'
Minimum part of economic life of the leased asset to be classified as capital lease	'	'	75.00%	'	'
Minimum net present value of the future minimum lease payments to be classified as capital lease.	90.00%	'	90.00%	'	'
Operating lease obligations relating to certain ground leases	882,088,000	'	882,088,000	'	'
Rental expense related to company office space	410,000	330,000	1,217,000	931,000	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Future Minimum Sublease Rentals	44,987,000	'	44,987,000	'	'
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	$118,463,000	'	$118,463,000	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholder's Equity (Details)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Preferred Stock:	'	'	'	'
Authorized shares	50,000,000	50,000,000	'	'
Issued shares	26,224,854	26,224,854	'	'
Outstanding shares	26,224,854	26,224,854	26,224,854	25,724,854
Common Stock, $1.00 par value:	'	'	'	'
Authorized shares	400,000,000	400,000,000	'	'
Issued shares	288,821,107	260,780,109	'	'
Outstanding shares	288,360,031	260,373,754	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Details_1

Stockholder's Equity (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Summary of common stock issuances	'	'	'
Dividend reinvestment plan issuances, Shares Issued	'	2,379,609	1,485,598
Dividend reinvestment plan issuances, Average Price	'	$64.62	$55.65
Dividend reinvestment plan issuances, Net Proceeds	'	153,762,000	82,678,000
Dividend reinvestment plan issuances, Gross Proceeds	'	153,762,000	82,678,000
Option exercises, Shares	'	200,467	155,195
Option exercises, Average Price	'	42.45	39.61
Option exercises, Gross Proceeds	'	8,509,000	6,147,000
Option exercises, Net Proceeds	'	8,509,000	6,147,000
Issuance of Common Stock, Shares	'	27,676,960	67,080,514
Senior note conversions	'	987,967	1,039,721
Equity issued in acquisition of noncontrolling interest	1,108,917	1,108,917	'
Gross Proceeds From Issuance of Common Stock	'	1,852,771,000	3,681,425,000
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock	'	1,792,552,000	3,536,232,000
February 2012 Public Issuance [Member]	'	'	'
Summary of common stock issuances	'	'	'
Public issuance, Shares Issued	'	'	20,700,000
Public issuance, Average Price	'	'	53.5
Public issuance, Gross Proceeds	'	'	1,107,450,000
Public issuance, Net Proceeds	'	'	1,062,256,000
August 2012 Public Issuance [Member]	'	'	'
Summary of common stock issuances	'	'	'
Public issuance, Shares Issued	'	'	13,800,000
Public issuance, Average Price	'	'	58.75
Public issuance, Gross Proceeds	'	'	810,750,000
Public issuance, Net Proceeds	'	'	778,011,000
September 2012 Public Issuance [Member]	'	'	'
Summary of common stock issuances	'	'	'
Public issuance, Shares Issued	'	'	29,900,000
Public issuance, Average Price	'	'	56
Public issuance, Gross Proceeds	'	'	1,674,400,000
Public issuance, Net Proceeds	'	'	1,607,140,000
May 2013 Public Issuance [Member]	'	'	'
Summary of common stock issuances	'	'	'
Public issuance, Shares Issued	'	23,000,000	'
Public issuance, Average Price	'	73.5	'
Public issuance, Gross Proceeds	'	1,690,500,000	'
Public issuance, Net Proceeds	'	$1,630,281,000	'

Stockholders_Equity_Details_2

Stockholder's Equity (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Unrecognized losses on cash flow hedges	($5,541,000)	($6,957,000)	($7,423,000)		($8,561,000)
Unrecognized losses on equity investments	-562,000	-216,000	-427,000		-619,000
Unrecognized gains (losses) on foreign currency translation	-14,398,000	-881,000	166,000		0
Unrecognized actuarial losses	-2,974,000	-2,974,000	-2,748,000		-2,748,000
Totals	-23,475,000	-11,028,000	-10,432,000		-11,928,000
Other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustments	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Unrecognized losses on cash flow hedges	-12,000	'	2,342,000		'
Unrecognized losses on equity investments	-346,000	'	192,000		'
Unrecognized gains (losses) on foreign currency translation	-13,517,000	'	166,000		'
Unrecognized actuarial losses	0	'	0		'
Totals	-13,875,000	'	2,700,000		'
Reclassification amount to net income	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Unrecognized losses on cash flow hedges	1,428,000	'	-1,204,000	[1]	'
Unrecognized losses on equity investments	0	'	0		'
Unrecognized gains (losses) on foreign currency translation	0	'	0		'
Unrecognized actuarial losses	0	'	0		'
Totals	1,428,000	'	-1,204,000		'
Net current period other comprehensive income	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Unrecognized losses on cash flow hedges	1,416,000	'	1,138,000		'
Unrecognized losses on equity investments	-346,000	'	192,000		'
Unrecognized gains (losses) on foreign currency translation	-13,517,000	'	166,000		'
Unrecognized actuarial losses	0	'	0		'
Totals	($12,447,000)	'	$1,496,000		'
[1]	(1) Please see Note 11 for additional information.

Stockholders_Equity_Details_4

Stockholder's Equity (Details 4)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	26,224,854	26,224,854	26,224,854	25,724,854
Preferred stock, shares issued during period	0	11,500,000	'	'
Preferred stock redeemed, shares	0	-11,000,000	'	'
Preferred stock balance average rate	0.06493	0.06493	0.06493	0.07013
Preferred stock balance issued average rate	0	0.065	'	'
Preferred stock balance redeemed average rate	0	0.07716	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Details_5

Stockholder's Equity (Details 5) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Summary of dividend payments	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared and paid per common share	$0.77	$0.74	$2.29	$2.22
Common stock cash dividends	'	'	$618,992,000	$460,936,000
Total dividend paid	'	'	668,797,000	513,463,000
Series D Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary of dividend payments	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared and paid per preferred share	'	'	$0	$0.50
Preferred stock cash dividends	'	'	0	2,012,000
Series F Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary of dividend payments	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared and paid per preferred share	'	'	$0	$0.49
Preferred stock cash dividends	'	'	0	3,410,000
Series H Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary of dividend payments	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared and paid per preferred share	'	'	$2.14	$2.14
Preferred stock cash dividends	'	'	750,000	750,000
Series I Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary of dividend payments	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared and paid per preferred share	'	'	$2.44	$2.44
Preferred stock cash dividends	'	'	35,039,000	35,039,000
Series J Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary of dividend payments	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared and paid per preferred share	'	'	$1.22	$0.98
Preferred stock cash dividends	'	'	$14,016,000	$11,316,000

Stockholders_Equity_Details_Te

Stockholder's Equity (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity (Details) [Abstract]	'
Transaction costs	$23,591,000
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	-23,247,000
Equity issued in acquisition of noncontrolling interest	1,108,917
Percentage of partnership owned	20.00%
Total purchase price	91,000,000
Transaction Costs Existing Partnership	$2,732,000

Stock_Incentive_Plans_Details_

Stock Incentive Plans (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Stock Incentive Plans [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of common stock authorized for Long-Term Incentive Plan	6,200,000	'	6,200,000	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$3,956,000	$2,592,000	$16,650,000	$16,229,000
Option expiration period	'10 years	'	'	'
Director [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock Incentive Plans [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Vesting period	'3 years	'	'	'
Officer [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock Incentive Plans [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Vesting period	'5 years	'	'	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Computation of basic and diluted earnings per share	'	'	'	'
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share - net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$20,691,000	$37,269,000	$67,245,000	$131,308,000
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares	286,020,000	224,391,000	273,148,000	212,592,000
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'
Employee stock options	196,000	238,000	235,000	240,000
Non-vested restricted shares	567,000	301,000	417,000	293,000
Convertible senior unsecured notes	1,246,000	1,328,000	1,447,000	950,000
Dilutive potential common shares	2,009,000	1,867,000	2,099,000	1,483,000
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted average shares	288,029,000	226,258,000	275,247,000	214,075,000
Basic earnings per share	$0.07	$0.17	$0.25	$0.62
Diluted earnings per share	$0.07	$0.16	$0.24	$0.61
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Securities Excluded From Computation Of Diluted Earnings Per Share	0	237,000	0	0

Disclosure_about_Fair_Value_of2

Disclosure about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Financial Assets:	'		'	'	'
Loans receivable, Carrying Amount	$307,377,000		$895,665,000	'	'
Available-for-sale equity investments, Carrying Amount	1,037,000		1,384,000	'	'
Available-for-sale equity investments, Fair Value	1,037,000	[1]	1,384,000	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents, Carrying Amount	164,838,000		1,033,764,000	1,382,252,000	163,482,000
Cash and cash equivalents, Fair Value	164,838,000		1,033,764,000	'	'
Foreign currency forward contract, asset	7,669,000		0	'	'
Financial Liabilities:	'		'	'	'
Borrowings under unsecured line of credit arrangement	847,670,000		0	'	'
Borrowings under unsecured lines of credit arrangements, Fair Value	847,670,000		0	'	'
Senior unsecured notes, Carrying Amount	6,395,638,000		6,114,151,000	'	'
Senior unsecured notes, Fair Value	6,806,353,000		6,793,424,000	'	'
Secured debt, Carrying Amount	3,115,862,000		2,336,196,000	'	'
Secured debt, Fair Value	3,262,955,000		2,515,145,000	'	'
Interest rate swap agreements, Carrying Amount	68,000		264,000	'	'
Interest rate swap agreements, Fair Value	68,000		264,000	'	'
Foreign currency forward contact, liability	79,544,000		7,247,000	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Member]	'		'	'	'
Financial Assets:	'		'	'	'
Loans receivable, Carrying Amount	131,138,000		87,955,000	'	'
Loans receivable, Fair value	133,554,000		88,975,000	'	'
Other Real Estate Loans Receivable [Member]	'		'	'	'
Financial Assets:	'		'	'	'
Loans receivable, Carrying Amount	176,239,000		807,710,000	'	'
Loans receivable, Fair value	$182,153,000		$820,195,000	'	'
[1]	(1) Unrealized gains or losses on equity investments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at each measurement date.

Disclosure_about_Fair_Value_of3

Disclosure about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details 1) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
The Market approach utilized to measure fair value of financial assets and liabilities on recurring basis	'		'
Available-for-sale equity investments	$1,037,000	[1]	$1,384,000
Interest rate swap agreements	-68,000	[2]	'
Foreign currency forward contracts	-71,875,000	[2]	'
Totals	-70,906,000		'
Level 1 [Member]	'		'
The Market approach utilized to measure fair value of financial assets and liabilities on recurring basis	'		'
Available-for-sale equity investments	1,037,000	[1]	'
Interest rate swap agreements	0	[2]	'
Foreign currency forward contracts	0	[2]	'
Totals	1,037,000		'
Level 2 [Member]	'		'
The Market approach utilized to measure fair value of financial assets and liabilities on recurring basis	'		'
Available-for-sale equity investments	0	[1]	'
Interest rate swap agreements	-68,000	[2]	'
Foreign currency forward contracts	-71,875,000	[2]	'
Totals	-71,943,000		'
Level 3 [Member]	'		'
The Market approach utilized to measure fair value of financial assets and liabilities on recurring basis	'		'
Available-for-sale equity investments	0	[1]	'
Interest rate swap agreements	0	[2]	'
Foreign currency forward contracts	0	[2]	'
Totals	$0		'
[1]	(1) Unrealized gains or losses on equity investments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at each measurement date.
[2]	(2) Please see Note 11 for additional information.

Segment_Reporting_Details

Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of information for reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'
Rental income	$311,731,000	$277,919,000	$909,659,000	$789,748,000	'
Resident fees and services	466,127,000	174,464,000	1,164,446,000	498,295,000	'
Interest income	7,629,000	8,111,000	24,325,000	24,131,000	'
Other income	1,443,000	1,339,000	3,168,000	4,505,000	'
Revenues	786,930,000	461,833,000	2,101,598,000	1,316,679,000	'
Property operating expenses	342,730,000	144,417,000	874,960,000	409,236,000	'
Net Operating Income from Continuing Operations	444,200,000	317,416,000	1,226,638,000	907,443,000	'
Interest expense	116,530,000	91,915,000	336,585,000	271,223,000	'
Loss (gain) on derivatives, net	4,872,000	409,000	4,465,000	-1,712,000	'
Depreciation and amortization	242,668,000	127,844,000	628,700,000	373,344,000	'
General and administrative	28,718,000	23,679,000	79,799,000	77,302,000	'
Transaction costs	23,591,000	8,264,000	117,707,000	42,535,000	'
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt, net	4,068,000	-215,000	4,376,000	-791,000	'
Provision for loan losses	0	27,008,000	0	27,008,000	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and income from unconsolidated entities	31,889,000	38,082,000	63,758,000	116,952,000	'
Total assets	23,049,805,000	'	23,049,805,000	'	19,549,109,000
Percent Of Assets	1	'	1	'	1
Percent Of Revenues	1	1	1	1	'
Senior housing - triple net [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Summary of information for reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'
Rental income	199,408,000	178,193,000	573,112,000	508,004,000	'
Resident fees and services	0	0	0	0	'
Interest income	5,035,000	6,116,000	16,311,000	17,977,000	'
Other income	778,000	662,000	1,183,000	2,268,000	'
Revenues	205,221,000	184,971,000	590,606,000	528,249,000	'
Property operating expenses	0	0	0	0	'
Net Operating Income from Continuing Operations	205,221,000	184,971,000	590,606,000	528,249,000	'
Interest expense	-5,968,000	-347,000	-15,841,000	-602,000	'
Loss (gain) on derivatives, net	-4,872,000	0	-4,872,000	-96,000	'
Depreciation and amortization	-58,148,000	-52,294,000	-169,603,000	-147,074,000	'
General and administrative	0	0	0	0	'
Transaction costs	-4,026,000	-5,590,000	-15,730,000	-30,796,000	'
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt, net	0	-126,000	0	-2,363,000	'
Provision for loan losses	0	-27,008,000	0	-27,008,000	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and income from unconsolidated entities	132,207,000	99,606,000	384,560,000	320,310,000	'
Total assets	9,222,731,000	'	9,222,731,000	'	'
Senior housing - operating [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Summary of information for reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'
Rental income	0	0	0	0	'
Resident fees and services	466,127,000	174,464,000	1,164,446,000	498,295,000	'
Interest income	0	0	757,000	0	'
Other income	167,000	0	169,000	0	'
Revenues	466,294,000	174,464,000	1,165,372,000	498,295,000	'
Property operating expenses	-311,575,000	-118,369,000	-785,050,000	-336,952,000	'
Net Operating Income from Continuing Operations	154,719,000	56,095,000	380,322,000	161,343,000	'
Interest expense	-24,693,000	-17,474,000	-63,175,000	-49,537,000	'
Loss (gain) on derivatives, net	0	-409,000	407,000	1,808,000	'
Depreciation and amortization	-144,578,000	-39,591,000	-338,099,000	-123,820,000	'
General and administrative	0	0	0	0	'
Transaction costs	-18,882,000	-1,966,000	-101,006,000	-6,365,000	'
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt, net	5,252,000	-89,000	5,560,000	1,089,000	'
Provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and income from unconsolidated entities	-28,182,000	-3,434,000	-115,991,000	-15,482,000	'
Total assets	9,031,224,000	'	9,031,224,000	'	'
Medical facilities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Summary of information for reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'
Rental income	112,323,000	99,726,000	336,547,000	281,744,000	'
Resident fees and services	0	0	0	0	'
Interest income	2,594,000	1,995,000	7,257,000	6,154,000	'
Other income	466,000	400,000	1,539,000	1,482,000	'
Revenues	115,383,000	102,121,000	345,343,000	289,380,000	'
Property operating expenses	-31,155,000	-26,048,000	-89,910,000	-72,284,000	'
Net Operating Income from Continuing Operations	84,228,000	76,073,000	255,433,000	217,096,000	'
Interest expense	-9,143,000	-7,940,000	-28,441,000	-22,338,000	'
Loss (gain) on derivatives, net	0	0	0	0	'
Depreciation and amortization	-39,942,000	-35,959,000	-120,998,000	-102,450,000	'
General and administrative	0	0	0	0	'
Transaction costs	-683,000	-708,000	-971,000	-5,374,000	'
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt, net	0	0	0	483,000	'
Provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and income from unconsolidated entities	34,460,000	31,466,000	105,023,000	87,417,000	'
Total assets	4,645,540,000	'	4,645,540,000	'	'
Non Segment Corporate [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Summary of information for reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'
Rental income	0	0	0	0	'
Resident fees and services	0	0	0	0	'
Interest income	0	0	0	0	'
Other income	32,000	277,000	277,000	755,000	'
Revenues	32,000	277,000	277,000	755,000	'
Property operating expenses	0	0	0	0	'
Net Operating Income from Continuing Operations	32,000	277,000	277,000	755,000	'
Interest expense	-76,726,000	-66,154,000	-229,128,000	-198,746,000	'
Loss (gain) on derivatives, net	0	0	0	0	'
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0	'
General and administrative	-28,718,000	-23,679,000	-79,799,000	-77,302,000	'
Transaction costs	0	0	0	0	'
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt, net	-1,184,000	0	-1,184,000	0	'
Provision for loan losses	0	0	0	0	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and income from unconsolidated entities	-106,596,000	-89,556,000	-309,834,000	-275,293,000	'
Total assets	150,310,000	'	150,310,000	'	'
International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Summary of information for reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	116,962,000	7,091,000	264,530,000	9,146,000	'
Total assets	3,427,229,000	'	3,427,229,000	'	856,895,000
Percent Of Assets	0.149	'	0.149	'	0.044
Percent Of Revenues	0.149	0.015	0.126	0.007	'
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Summary of information for reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	669,968,000	454,742,000	1,837,068,000	1,307,533,000	'
Total assets	$19,622,576,000	'	$19,622,576,000	'	$18,692,214,000
Percent Of Assets	0.851	'	0.851	'	0.956
Percent Of Revenues	0.851	0.985	0.874	0.993	'

Income_Taxes_and_Distributions1

Income Taxes and Distributions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Taxes And Distributions (Textuals) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of taxable income to be distributed to stockholders for federal tax purposes	90.00%	'	'	'	'
Percentage of net capital gains on taxable income distributed to stockholders	100.00%	'	'	'	'
Percentage of federal excise tax on real estate investment trusts that do not distribute income	4.00%	'	'	'	'
Income tax provision	$3,077,000	$836,000	$7,055,000	$3,754,000	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities	10,388,000	'	10,388,000	'	1,419,000
Additional Income Taxes and Distributions (Textuals) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	6,327,000	'	6,327,000	'	6,098,000
Expensed tax interest and penalties	154,000	'	366,000	'	'
Genesis Acquisition [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Additional Income Taxes and Distributions (Textuals) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$5,916,000	'	$5,916,000	'	'

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Oct. 07, 2013
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Senior Unsecured Notes Issued	$400,000,000
Interest rate	4.50%
Debt issuance proceeds	$393,000,000