Real Estate Investments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Minimum
Operating leases
Specified annual increase over the prior year's rent (as a percent)	2.00%
Maximum
Operating leases
Specified annual increase over the prior year's rent (as a percent)	3.00%
Owned Properties
Real Estate Investments
Gross Investments	900,095
Percentage of Investments	100.00%
Number of properties	179
Number of states	26
Number of operators	35
Owned Properties \| Minimum
Operating leases
Initial term of non-cancelable operating lease	10 years
Specified annual increase over the prior year's rent (as a percent)	2.00%
Owned Properties \| Maximum
Operating leases
Initial term of non-cancelable operating lease	15 years
Specified annual increase over the prior year's rent (as a percent)	3.00%
SNF Beds \| Owned Properties
Real Estate Investments
Number of Beds/Units	9,025
ALF Units \| Owned Properties
Real Estate Investments
Number of Beds/Units	4,820
Skilled Nursing \| Owned Properties
Real Estate Investments
Gross Investments	438,388
Percentage of Investments	48.70%
Number of properties	71
Average Investment per Bed/Unit	53,390
Skilled Nursing \| SNF Beds \| Owned Properties
Real Estate Investments
Number of Beds/Units	8,211
Assisted Living \| Owned Properties
Real Estate Investments
Gross Investments	379,869
Percentage of Investments	42.20%
Number of properties	96
Average Investment per Bed/Unit	84,380
Assisted Living \| ALF Units \| Owned Properties
Real Estate Investments
Number of Beds/Units	4,502
Range of Care \| Owned Properties
Real Estate Investments
Gross Investments	52,870
Percentage of Investments	5.90%
Number of properties	10
Average Investment per Bed/Unit	46,700
Range of Care \| SNF Beds \| Owned Properties
Real Estate Investments
Number of Beds/Units	814
Range of Care \| ALF Units \| Owned Properties
Real Estate Investments
Number of Beds/Units	318
Under development \| Owned Properties
Real Estate Investments
Gross Investments	16,642
Percentage of Investments	1.80%
School \| Owned Properties
Real Estate Investments
Gross Investments	12,326
Percentage of Investments	1.40%
Number of properties	2

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Represents the increase in rent expressed as percentage, over the prior year's rent.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ltc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the initial term of operating lease.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ltc_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of units or beds of properties under mortgage loans or owned by the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ltc_PropertiesNumberOfUnitsOrBeds
Namespace Prefix:	ltc_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the number of operators associated with certain investments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ltc_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the number of states in which the entity has invested.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ltc_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the Investments in real estate held solely for investment purposes expressed as percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ltc_RealEstateInvestmentsPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	ltc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the per unit investment in real estate held solely for investment purposes.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ltc_
Data Type:	us-types:perUnitItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of real estate investments, net of accumulated depreciation, which may include the following: (1) land available-for-sale; (2) land available-for-development; (3) investments in building and building improvements; (4) tenant allowances; (5) developments in-process; (6) rental properties; (7) other real estate investments; (8) real estate joint ventures; and (9) unconsolidated real estate and other joint ventures not separately presented.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph d

-Article 7

+ Details

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