CURRENT VULNERABILITY DUE TO CERTAIN CONCENTRATIONS (Details)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
CURRENT VULNERABILITY DUE TO CERTAIN CONCENTRATIONS    
Percentage of skilled nursing facility beds which are certified under the Medicaid and Medicare programs 100.00%  
Number of beds under skilled nursing facility acquired 3,804  
Total Occupancy | Patient concentration risk | Medicaid
   
Current vulnerability due to certain concentrations    
Concentration risk (as a percent) 73.00% 76.00%
Total Occupancy | Patient concentration risk | Medicare
   
Current vulnerability due to certain concentrations    
Concentration risk (as a percent) 14.00% 14.00%
Total Occupancy | Patient concentration risk | Other Payers
   
Current vulnerability due to certain concentrations    
Concentration risk (as a percent) 13.00% 10.00%
Long-Term Care Receivables | Credit concentration risk | Medicaid
   
Current vulnerability due to certain concentrations    
Concentration risk (as a percent) 39.00% 35.00%
Long-Term Care Receivables | Credit concentration risk | Medicare
   
Current vulnerability due to certain concentrations    
Concentration risk (as a percent) 30.00% 30.00%
Long-Term Care Receivables | Credit concentration risk | Other Payers
   
Current vulnerability due to certain concentrations    
Concentration risk (as a percent) 31.00% 35.00%
Patient Care Revenue | Patient concentration risk | Medicaid
   
Current vulnerability due to certain concentrations    
Concentration risk (as a percent) 54.00% 56.00%
Patient Care Revenue | Patient concentration risk | Medicare
   
Current vulnerability due to certain concentrations    
Concentration risk (as a percent) 29.00% 31.00%
Patient Care Revenue | Patient concentration risk | Other Payers
   
Current vulnerability due to certain concentrations    
Concentration risk (as a percent) 17.00% 13.00%