(Increase) Decrease In Long Term Debt

No definition available.

Name:	bkd_IncreaseDecreaseInLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	bkd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Increase (Decrease) In Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bkd_IncreaseDecreaseInLongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
Namespace Prefix:	bkd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net amount of non-cash operating, investing and financing activities

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bkd_Net
Namespace Prefix:	bkd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Intangible Assets Acquired, Net

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bkd_NoncashorPartNoncashAcquisitionIntangibleAssetsAcquiredNet
Namespace Prefix:	bkd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of write-down of assets recognized in the income statement. Includes, but is not limited to, losses from tangible assets, intangible assets and goodwill.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68055307&loc=d3e2420-110228

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CashFlowNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66022249&loc=d3e33749-111570

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77989000&loc=SL49117168-202975

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Goodwill
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the period in book value of long-lived assets that the reporting entity plans to sell within one year (or one business cycle).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAssetsHeldForSale
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Change during the period in carrying value for all deferred liabilities due within one year or operating cycle.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in operating liabilities classified as other.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in prepaid expenses, and assets classified as other.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net book value of a nonmonetary asset transferred or exchanged in connection with the acquisition of a business or asset in a noncash transaction. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. Nonmonetary assets and liabilities are assets and liabilities that will not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the future.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513485&loc=d3e4304-108586

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513485&loc=d3e4332-108586

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513485&loc=d3e4313-108586

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNetNonmonetaryAssetsAcquiredLiabilitiesAssumed1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsByUniqueDescriptionAxis=us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsByUniqueDescriptionAxis=bkd_AmendmentsToLeasesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsByUniqueDescriptionAxis=bkd_ContributionToCCRCVentureMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information - Non-cash, Investing and Financing Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Prepaid expenses and other assets									$ (21,970)	$ (2,954)	$ (51,079)
Goodwill	$ 505,783				$ 705,476				505,783	705,476
Asset impairment	18,966	$ 368,551	$ 1,559	$ 20,706	221,877	$ 19,111	$ 4,152	$ 3,375	409,782	248,515	57,941
Assets held for sale
Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Prepaid expenses and other assets									199	(3,195)	0
Assets held for sale									(29,544)	278,675	110,620
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles, net									29,345	(262,711)	(113,592)
Goodwill	0				(28,568)				0	(28,568)	(12,200)
Asset impairment									0	15,799	15,172
Net									0	0	0
Amendments to leases
Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles, net									(145,645)	0	26,644
Other intangible assets, net									0	0	(5,202)
Capital and financing lease obligations									147,886	0	(23,738)
Deferred liabilities									7,447	0	0
Other liabilities									(9,688)	0	2,296
Net									0	0	0
Contribution to CCRC Venture
Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment and leasehold intangibles, net									0	0	(25,717)
Investment in unconsolidated ventures	$ 0				$ 0				0	0	7,422
Long-term debt									0	0	18,295
Net									$ 0	$ 0	$ 0