Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Term of residency agreements - minimum (in days)	30 days
Term of residency agreements - maximum (in years)	1 year
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted [Line Items]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, current	$ 32,864	$ 32,570
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, long term	28,061	33,382
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, total	60,925	65,952
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	27,000	26,500
Increase (Decrease) in Insurance Liabilities [Abstract]
Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense Reserve	35,400
Increase (Decrease) in Workers' Compensation Liabilities	12,700
Increase (Decrease) in Other Insurance Liabilities	$ 22,700
Buildings and Improvements [Member] \| Weighted Average [Member]
Estimated useful life of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	40 years
Furniture and Equipment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Estimated useful life of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	3 years
Furniture and Equipment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Estimated useful life of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	7 years
Resident lease intangibles [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Estimated useful life of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	1 year
Resident lease intangibles [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Estimated useful life of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	3 years
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract] \| Minimum [Member]
Finite lived intangible assets - useful lives [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	3 years
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract] \| Maximum [Member]
Finite lived intangible assets - useful lives [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	9 years
Tradenames [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Finite lived intangible assets - useful lives [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	2 years
Tradenames [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Finite lived intangible assets - useful lives [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	5 years
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair value of financial instruments [Abstract]
Debt at carrying value	$ 3,600,000	3,900,000
Real estate taxes [Member]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted [Line Items]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, current	19,671	18,862
Tenant security deposits [Member]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted [Line Items]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, current	764	862
Insurance reserves [Member]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted [Line Items]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, long term	12,941	15,318
Entrance fees [Member]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted [Line Items]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, long term	13,301	13,233
Replacement reserve and other [Member]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted [Line Items]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, current	6,970	8,011
Debt service and other deposits [Member]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted [Line Items]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, long term	1,819	3,429
Other Restricted Cash [Member]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted [Line Items]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, current	5,459	4,835
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, long term	0	200
Letter of Credit Collateral [Member]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted [Line Items]
Cash and escrow deposits - restricted, long term	$ 0	$ 1,202

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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