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  <xsd:element id="bkd_AmortizationOfDeferredGainsFromSaleLeasebackTransaction" name="AmortizationOfDeferredGainsFromSaleLeasebackTransaction" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_ApplicableMarginGreaterThan35ButLessThanOrEqualTo50UtilizationMember" name="ApplicableMarginGreaterThan35ButLessThanOrEqualTo50UtilizationMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_ApplicableMarginGreaterThan50UtilizationMember" name="ApplicableMarginGreaterThan50UtilizationMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_ApplicableMarginLessThanOrEqualTo35UtilizationMember" name="ApplicableMarginLessThanOrEqualTo35UtilizationMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_AssistedLivingMember" name="AssistedLivingMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_BlackstoneVentureMember" name="BlackstoneVentureMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_BrookdaleAncillaryServicesMember" name="BrookdaleAncillaryServicesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_CcrcsRentalMember" name="CcrcsRentalMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_CommunityPurchaseOptionsMember" name="CommunityPurchaseOptionsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_ConvertibleSeniorNotesDueJune2018Member" name="ConvertibleSeniorNotesDueJune2018Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_DebtArrangementShortfallAmountMaximumAmountToLend" name="DebtArrangementShortfallAmountMaximumAmountToLend" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_DebtInstrumentConvertibleMaximumNumberOfEquityInstrument" name="DebtInstrumentConvertibleMaximumNumberOfEquityInstrument" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_DebtInstrumentNumberOfCommunitiesSecuringDebt" name="DebtInstrumentNumberOfCommunitiesSecuringDebt" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_DebtInstrumentTermOfAgreementAxis" name="DebtInstrumentTermOfAgreementAxis" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_DebtInstrumentTermOfAgreementDomain" name="DebtInstrumentTermOfAgreementDomain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_DisposalGroupNumberOfAdditionalCommunitiesDisposedOf" name="DisposalGroupNumberOfAdditionalCommunitiesDisposedOf" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_DisposalGroupNumberOfCommunitiesDisposedOf" name="DisposalGroupNumberOfCommunitiesDisposedOf" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract" name="DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_EquityMethodInvestmentsLeaseholdInterestsContributedNumberOfCommunities" name="EquityMethodInvestmentsLeaseholdInterestsContributedNumberOfCommunities" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_EquityMethodInvestmentsNumberOfCommunitiesManaged" name="EquityMethodInvestmentsNumberOfCommunitiesManaged" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_FiniteAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross" name="FiniteAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_FiniteAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTableTextBlock" name="FiniteAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTableTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_FormationofBlackstoneJointVentureMember" name="FormationofBlackstoneJointVentureMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_FourthAmendedandRestatedCreditAgreementMember" name="FourthAmendedandRestatedCreditAgreementMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_GrossDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit" name="GrossDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_HCPInc.Member" name="HCPInc.Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_HealthCareLicensesMember" name="HealthCareLicensesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_IncreaseDecreaseInLongTermDebt" name="IncreaseDecreaseInLongTermDebt" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_IncreaseDecreaseInPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndLeaseholdIntangiblesNet" name="IncreaseDecreaseInPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndLeaseholdIntangiblesNet" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_IncreaseDecreaseInRefundableEntranceFeesAndDeferredRevenue" name="IncreaseDecreaseInRefundableEntranceFeesAndDeferredRevenue" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_IntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" name="IntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_IntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" name="IntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_JointVentureMember" name="JointVentureMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_LetterOfCreditSublimitMember" name="LetterOfCreditSublimitMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_LineOfCreditFacilityFacilityUtilizationPercentage" name="LineOfCreditFacilityFacilityUtilizationPercentage" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_LineOfCreditPercentageOutstanding" name="LineOfCreditPercentageOutstanding" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_LitigationAbstract" name="LitigationAbstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_ManagementServicesMember" name="ManagementServicesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_MortgageDebtDueApril2018Member" name="MortgageDebtDueApril2018Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_MortgageDebtDueJanuary2021Member" name="MortgageDebtDueJanuary2021Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_Net" name="Net" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_NonRecourseFirstMortgagesMember" name="NonRecourseFirstMortgagesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_NonRecourseSupplementalLoanMember" name="NonRecourseSupplementalLoanMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_NoncashorPartNoncashAcquisitionConsiderationToJointVenture" name="NoncashorPartNoncashAcquisitionConsiderationToJointVenture" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_NoncashorPartNoncashAcquisitionIntangibleAssetsAcquiredNet" name="NoncashorPartNoncashAcquisitionIntangibleAssetsAcquiredNet" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesAcquired" name="NumberOfCommunitiesAcquired" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesClassifiedAsHeldForSale" name="NumberOfCommunitiesClassifiedAsHeldForSale" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesContributedToJointVenture" name="NumberOfCommunitiesContributedToJointVenture" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesInWhichLeasesWereTerminated" name="NumberOfCommunitiesInWhichLeasesWereTerminated" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_NumberOfDebtInstrumentsRefinanced" name="NumberOfDebtInstrumentsRefinanced" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_NumberOfJointVentures" name="NumberOfJointVentures" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_OperatingLeasesLeasingArrangementFairMarketValueOfCommunities" name="OperatingLeasesLeasingArrangementFairMarketValueOfCommunities" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_OperatingLeasesNumberOfCommunities" name="OperatingLeasesNumberOfCommunities" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_OptionToIncreaseMaximumBorrowingCapacityMember" name="OptionToIncreaseMaximumBorrowingCapacityMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_PercentageOfLoanAvailabilityFromPledgedAssetsFromMortgagedAssetsMaximum" name="PercentageOfLoanAvailabilityFromPledgedAssetsFromMortgagedAssetsMaximum" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_ProceedsFromDebtRefinancing" name="ProceedsFromDebtRefinancing" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_ProceedsFromDeferredEntranceFeeRevenue" name="ProceedsFromDeferredEntranceFeeRevenue" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_ProceedsFromSaleOfAssetsNetMember" name="ProceedsFromSaleOfAssetsNetMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_ProceedsRepaymentsfromSaleofPropertyPlantandEquipmentNet" name="ProceedsRepaymentsfromSaleofPropertyPlantandEquipmentNet" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_ResidentAndLeaseholdOperatingIntangiblesMember" name="ResidentAndLeaseholdOperatingIntangiblesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_RetirementCentersMember" name="RetirementCentersMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_ScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems" name="ScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_ScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassTable" name="ScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_SelfInsuranceLiabilityAccrualsPolicyTextBlock" name="SelfInsuranceLiabilityAccrualsPolicyTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_SeniorHousingCommunitiesMember" name="SeniorHousingCommunitiesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_ShareBasedCompensationSharesValuePerShare" name="ShareBasedCompensationSharesValuePerShare" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:perShareItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_SwinglineLineOfCreditMember" name="SwinglineLineOfCreditMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_TermOfResidencyAgreementsMaximum" name="TermOfResidencyAgreementsMaximum" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="bkd_TermOfResidencyAgreementsMinimum" name="TermOfResidencyAgreementsMinimum" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_TerminationOf25TripleNetLeases1Member" name="TerminationOf25TripleNetLeases1Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_TerminationOf8TripleNetLeasesMember" name="TerminationOf8TripleNetLeasesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_TerminationOfTripleNetLeasesMember" name="TerminationOfTripleNetLeasesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_UnusedCommitmentFeeOutstandingDebtPercentageGreaterThanOrEqualTo50Member" name="UnusedCommitmentFeeOutstandingDebtPercentageGreaterThanOrEqualTo50Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_UnusedCommitmentFeeOutstandingDebtPercentageLessThan50Member" name="UnusedCommitmentFeeOutstandingDebtPercentageLessThan50Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryOperatingCompanyMember" name="VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryOperatingCompanyMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="bkd_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryRealEstateCompanyMember" name="VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryRealEstateCompanyMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
</xsd:schema>
