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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Basis of Presentation
Ownership interest in subsidiaries (as a percent)	100.00%
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Other
Maximum original maturity period of highly liquid debt instruments to be considered as cash equivalents	3 months
Buildings and improvements
Real Estate Properties
Estimated useful lives	40 years
Buildings and improvements | Maximum
Real Estate Properties
Estimated useful lives	40 years
Personal property | Maximum
Real Estate Properties
Estimated useful lives	12 years

X

- Definition

Represents the maximum original maturity period of highly liquid debt instruments to be considered as cash equivalents.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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X

- Definition

Represents the percentage of ownership held in the subsidiary either directly or indirectly.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	snh_
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Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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X

- Definition

Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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