XML 54 R35.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 5) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2011 Y segment D | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
Revenue Recognition |  |  |
Percentage rents earned | $ 11,313 | $ 10,315 | $ 9,120
Term of lease agreements with residents (in years) | 1 |  |
Number of days of notice by which lease agreements are cancellable | 30 |  |
Income taxes |  |  |
Percentage of likelihood of realization that the tax position must exceed in order for the amount to be recognized | 50.00% |  |
Segment Reporting |  |  |
Number of operating segments | 3 |  |
Senior living communities | Five Star |  |  |
Revenue Recognition |  |  |
Number of properties acquired or agreed to be acquired | 22 |  |
Number of properties acquired, referred as managed properties | 22 |  |

X
- Details
Name: | snh_IncomeTaxAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | snh_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the term of the lease agreements entered into with the tenants. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | snh_LeaseAgreementsTerm
Namespace Prefix: | snh_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the number of days before which the notice for cancellation of lease agreements is required to be given by the residents. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | snh_NoticeForCancellationOfLeaseAgreementsNumberOfDays
Namespace Prefix: | snh_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition This element represents the number of properties acquired or agreed to be acquired by the entity during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | snh_NumberOfPropertiesAcquired
Namespace Prefix: | snh_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the number of properties acquired or agreed to be acquired by the entity during the period, which are referred by the entity as managed properties. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | snh_NumberOfPropertiesAcquiredManagedProperties
Namespace Prefix: | snh_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of operating segments of the entity. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | snh_OperatingSegmentsNumber
Namespace Prefix: | snh_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | snh_RevenueRecognitionLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | snh_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The percentage of likelihood of realization that the tax position must exceed in order for the amount to be recognized in the financial statements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | snh_TaxBenefitsRecognitionBasisForUncertainTaxPositionLikelihoodRealizationGreaterThanPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | snh_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This element represents the rental revenue earned during the period from lessee-operators based on revenues generated in their operations, generally in excess of a base amount. Such rental revenue is generally stipulated in the lease agreement, usually will provide for a fixed percentage of revenue to be paid as additional (or possibly only) rent due the lessor, and may be based on gross revenues, net revenues, or multiple variations thereof. Percentage rent is often required under leases with retail outlets located on premises owned by hoteliers, cruise lines, others in the hospitality industry, and shopping mall operators, among others. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 13 -Paragraph 23 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(e)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PercentageRent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_SegmentReportingAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration