CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest, tax	$ 0	$ 0	$ 2,271

Tax on net income loss attributable to noncontrolling interest.

No definition available.

Name:	vtr_TaxOnNetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	vtr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration