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Unrealized Gain / Loss on Investments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
CommonWealth REIT (CWH)
Unrealized gain on investments
Investment in common shares	250,000
Quoted market prices (in dollars per share)	$ 18.62
Weighted average costs (in dollars per share)	$ 26.00
Five Star
Unrealized gain on investments
Investment in common shares	4,235,000
Quoted market prices (in dollars per share)	$ 3.41
Weighted average costs (in dollars per share)	$ 3.36

X

- Definition

Represents the quoted market price per common share of investments as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	snh_InvestmentQuotedMarketPricePerShare
Namespace Prefix:	snh_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Represents the weighted average cost per common share of investments on the date of acquisition.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	snh_InvestmentWeightedAverageCostPerShare
Namespace Prefix:	snh_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Balance held at close of period in number of shares.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 12C

-Paragraph Column B

-Article 12



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 12

-Paragraph Column B

-Article 12



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 946

-SubTopic 320

-Section S99

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-12C.Column B)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6955306&loc=d3e611225-123010



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 14

-Paragraph Column B

-Article 12



Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 946

-SubTopic 320

-Section S99

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-14.Column B)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6955306&loc=d3e611322-123010



Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 946

-SubTopic 320

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-12.Column B)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6955306&loc=d3e611133-123010

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedBalanceShares
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

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