    <SEC-DOCUMENT>0001558370-14-000267-index.html : 20141103
    <SEC-HEADER>0001558370-14-000267.hdr.sgml : 20141103
    <ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20141103162920
    ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001558370-14-000267
    CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	10-Q
    PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		14
    CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20140930
    FILED AS OF DATE:		20141103
    DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20141103

    FILER:

    	COMPANY DATA:
    		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SENIOR HOUSING PROPERTIES TRUST
    		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001075415
    		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
    		IRS NUMBER:				043445278
    		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
    		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

    	FILING VALUES:
    		FORM TYPE:		10-Q
    		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
    		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15319
    		FILM NUMBER:		141189801

    	BUSINESS ADDRESS:
    		STREET 1:		TWO NEWTON PLACE
    		STREET 2:		255 WASHINGTON STREET
    		CITY:			NEWTON
    		STATE:			MA
    		ZIP:			02458
    		BUSINESS PHONE:		6173323990

    	MAIL ADDRESS:
    		STREET 1:		TWO NEWTON PLACE
    		STREET 2:		255 WASHINGTON STREET
    		CITY:			NEWTON
    		STATE:			MA
    		ZIP:			02458
    </SEC-HEADER>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>10-Q
    <SEQUENCE>1
    <FILENAME>snh-20140930x10q.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>10-Q
    <TEXT>
    Document 1 - file: snh-20140930x10q.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-10.1
    <SEQUENCE>2
    <FILENAME>snh-20140930ex101a008e7.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-10.1
    <TEXT>
    Document 2 - file: snh-20140930ex101a008e7.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-12.1
    <SEQUENCE>3
    <FILENAME>snh-20140930ex1214f5f7d.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-12.1
    <TEXT>
    Document 3 - file: snh-20140930ex1214f5f7d.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-31.1
    <SEQUENCE>4
    <FILENAME>snh-20140930ex311e5b28b.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-31.1
    <TEXT>
    Document 4 - file: snh-20140930ex311e5b28b.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-31.2
    <SEQUENCE>5
    <FILENAME>snh-20140930ex312495f9e.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-31.2
    <TEXT>
    Document 5 - file: snh-20140930ex312495f9e.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-31.3
    <SEQUENCE>6
    <FILENAME>snh-20140930ex31397ff5a.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-31.3
    <TEXT>
    Document 6 - file: snh-20140930ex31397ff5a.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-31.4
    <SEQUENCE>7
    <FILENAME>snh-20140930ex314d5519a.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-31.4
    <TEXT>
    Document 7 - file: snh-20140930ex314d5519a.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-32.1
    <SEQUENCE>8
    <FILENAME>snh-20140930ex321c8c736.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-32.1
    <TEXT>
    Document 8 - file: snh-20140930ex321c8c736.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-101.INS
    <SEQUENCE>9
    <FILENAME>snh-20140930.xml
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-101.INS
    <TEXT>
    Document 9 - file: snh-20140930.xml

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-101.SCH
    <SEQUENCE>10
    <FILENAME>snh-20140930.xsd
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-101.SCH
    <TEXT>
    Document 10 - file: snh-20140930.xsd

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-101.CAL
    <SEQUENCE>11
    <FILENAME>snh-20140930_cal.xml
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-101.CAL
    <TEXT>
    Document 11 - file: snh-20140930_cal.xml

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-101.DEF
    <SEQUENCE>12
    <FILENAME>snh-20140930_def.xml
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-101.DEF
    <TEXT>
    Document 12 - file: snh-20140930_def.xml

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-101.LAB
    <SEQUENCE>13
    <FILENAME>snh-20140930_lab.xml
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-101.LAB
    <TEXT>
    Document 13 - file: snh-20140930_lab.xml

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-101.PRE
    <SEQUENCE>14
    <FILENAME>snh-20140930_pre.xml
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-101.PRE
    <TEXT>
    Document 14 - file: snh-20140930_pre.xml

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EXCEL
    <SEQUENCE>15
    <FILENAME>Financial_Report.xlsx
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 15 - file: Financial_Report.xlsx

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>16
    <FILENAME>report.css
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 16 - file: report.css

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>17
    <FILENAME>R25.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 17 - file: R25.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>18
    <FILENAME>R9.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 18 - file: R9.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EXCEL
    <SEQUENCE>19
    <FILENAME>Financial_Report.xls
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 19 - file: Financial_Report.xls

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>20
    <FILENAME>R29.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 20 - file: R29.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>21
    <FILENAME>R28.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 21 - file: R28.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>22
    <FILENAME>R30.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 22 - file: R30.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>23
    <FILENAME>R31.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 23 - file: R31.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>24
    <FILENAME>R8.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 24 - file: R8.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>25
    <FILENAME>R32.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 25 - file: R32.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>26
    <FILENAME>R2.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 26 - file: R2.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>27
    <FILENAME>R6.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 27 - file: R6.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>28
    <FILENAME>R22.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 28 - file: R22.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>ZIP
    <SEQUENCE>29
    <FILENAME>0001558370-14-000267-xbrl.zip
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 29 - file: 0001558370-14-000267-xbrl.zip

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>30
    <FILENAME>R24.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 30 - file: R24.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>31
    <FILENAME>Show.js
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 31 - file: Show.js

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>32
    <FILENAME>R7.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 32 - file: R7.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>33
    <FILENAME>R3.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 33 - file: R3.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>34
    <FILENAME>R17.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 34 - file: R17.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>35
    <FILENAME>R1.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 35 - file: R1.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>36
    <FILENAME>R18.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 36 - file: R18.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>37
    <FILENAME>R4.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 37 - file: R4.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>38
    <FILENAME>R12.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 38 - file: R12.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>39
    <FILENAME>R11.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 39 - file: R11.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>40
    <FILENAME>R23.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 40 - file: R23.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>41
    <FILENAME>R19.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 41 - file: R19.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>42
    <FILENAME>R15.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 42 - file: R15.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>43
    <FILENAME>R13.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 43 - file: R13.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>44
    <FILENAME>R14.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 44 - file: R14.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>45
    <FILENAME>R16.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 45 - file: R16.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>46
    <FILENAME>R21.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 46 - file: R21.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>47
    <FILENAME>R26.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 47 - file: R26.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>48
    <FILENAME>R5.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 48 - file: R5.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>49
    <FILENAME>R10.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 49 - file: R10.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>50
    <FILENAME>R27.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 50 - file: R27.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>51
    <FILENAME>FilingSummary.xml
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 51 - file: FilingSummary.xml

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>52
    <FILENAME>R20.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 52 - file: R20.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    </SEC-DOCUMENT>