Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits are not generally reported as cash and cash equivalents. Includes cash and cash equivalents associated with the entity's continuing operations. Excludes cash and cash equivalents associated with the disposal group (and discontinued operation).

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Borrowing Arrangements (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Borrowing Arrangements (Details 4) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Scheduled maturities of borrowing arrangements and other provisions excluding capital lease obligations
2012	$ 319,317,000
2013	968,345,000
2014	279,641,000
2015	1,475,388,000
2016	572,059,000
Thereafter	2,565,693,000
Total maturities	6,180,443,000	2,926,954,000
Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents	45,807,000	21,812,000	107,397,000	176,812,000
Minimum percentage of total unencumbered assets as a percentage of unsecured debt required to be maintained (as a percent)	150.00%
NHP
Scheduled maturities of borrowing arrangements and other provisions excluding capital lease obligations
Total maturities	652,600,000
Unsecured revolving credit facilities
Scheduled maturities of borrowing arrangements and other provisions excluding capital lease obligations
Total maturities	455,578,000	40,000,000
Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents	45,800,000
Amount outstanding, net of cash and cash equivalents	409,800,000
6.90% Senior Notes due 2037 \| NHP
Scheduled maturities of borrowing arrangements and other provisions excluding capital lease obligations
Thereafter	52,400,000
6.59% senior notes due 2038 \| NHP
Scheduled maturities of borrowing arrangements and other provisions excluding capital lease obligations
Thereafter	23,000,000
Mortgage loans
Scheduled maturities of borrowing arrangements and other provisions excluding capital lease obligations
2012	5,700,000
Thereafter	8,900,000
Total maturities	14,600,000
Principal Amount Due at Maturity
Scheduled maturities of borrowing arrangements and other provisions excluding capital lease obligations
2012	267,044,000
2013	921,890,000
2014	237,648,000
2015	985,647,000
2016	544,370,000
Thereafter	2,395,088,000
Total maturities	5,351,687,000
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility
Scheduled maturities of borrowing arrangements and other provisions excluding capital lease obligations
2015	455,578,000
Total maturities	455,578,000
Scheduled Periodic Amortization
Scheduled maturities of borrowing arrangements and other provisions excluding capital lease obligations
2012	52,273,000
2013	46,455,000
2014	41,993,000
2015	34,163,000
2016	27,689,000
Thereafter	170,605,000
Total maturities	$ 373,178,000