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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

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- Definition

Represents the term of the lease agreements entered into with the tenants.

+ References

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- Definition

Represents the number of days before which the notice for cancellation of lease agreements is required to be given by the residents.

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- Definition

This element represents the number of properties acquired or agreed to be acquired by the entity during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

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- 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.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The number of operating segments of the entity.

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- 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.

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No definition available.

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- 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

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