SCHEDULE IV MORTGAGE LOANS ON REAL ESTATE (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Mortgage loans on real estate
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 59,026	$ 69,883	$ 77,541
New Mortgage Loans		1,622
Other Additions		72	280
Amortization of mortgage premium	(38)	(121)	(151)
Collections of principal	(5,967)	(8,403)	(7,843)
Foreclosures		(2,900)
Loan Loss Reserve	60	108	56
Other Deductions		(1,235)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 53,081	$ 59,026	$ 69,883

Represents the decrease in the loan loss reserve during the reporting period.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	ltc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total carrying amount of mortgage loans as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 948

-SubTopic 310

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-29.6)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6589523&loc=d3e617274-123014

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph c

-Subparagraph Schedule IV

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 29

-Article 12

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-04.(c) Schedule IV)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6882300&loc=d3e5864-122674

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of premium on mortgage loans on real estate amortized during the reporting period.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The amount of principal collected on mortgage loans on real estate during the reporting period.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The amount of mortgage loans on real estate which were foreclosed on during the reporting period.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total amount of new mortgage loans on real estate during the reporting period.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total amount of additions to mortgage loans other than new loans during the reporting period.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The amount of reductions in principal on mortgage loans other than foreclosures, costs of mortgages sold, and amortization of premium during the reporting period.

+ References

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
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- Details

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