CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Total Ventas Stockholders’ Equity	Common Stock Par Value	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 2,484,060	$ 2,465,511	$ 39,160	$ 2,573,039	$ 19,669	$ (165,710)	$ (647)	$ 18,549
Increase (decrease) in shareholders' equity
Net income (loss)	249,729	246,167				246,167		3,562
Other comprehensive income (loss)	7,199	7,199			7,199
Net change in noncontrolling interest	(37,135)	(18,503)		(18,503)				(18,632)
Dividends to common stockholders	(336,085)	(336,085)				(336,085)
Issuance of common stock for stock plans	24,644	24,644	197	21,076			3,371
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	(2,207)	(2,207)	34	1,231			(3,472)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	2,390,205	2,386,726	39,391	2,576,843	26,868	(255,628)	(748)	3,479
Increase (decrease) in shareholders' equity
Net income (loss)	363,261	364,493				364,493		(1,232)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(4,806)	(4,806)			(4,806)
Acquisition-related activity	6,819,128	6,737,936	31,181	6,711,081			(4,326)	81,192
Net change in noncontrolling interest	(5,640)	(3,188)		(3,188)				(2,452)
Dividends to common stockholders	(521,046)	(521,046)				(521,046)
Issuance of common stock	299,558	299,558	1,627	297,931
Issuance of common stock for stock plans	22,301	22,301	9	18,999			3,293
Adjust redeemable OP unitholder interests to current fair value	(4,442)	(4,442)		(4,442)
Purchase of OP units	(52)	(52)		(52)
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	(2,523)	(2,523)	32	(3,589)			1,034
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	9,355,944	9,274,957	72,240	9,593,583	22,062	(412,181)	(747)	80,987
Increase (decrease) in shareholders' equity
Net income (loss)	361,775	362,800				362,800		(1,025)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,292	1,292			1,292
Acquisition-related activity	(239,076)	(229,647)		(8,571)			(221,076)	(9,429)
Net change in noncontrolling interest	(5,194)							(5,194)
Dividends to common stockholders	(728,546)	(728,546)				(728,546)
Issuance of common stock	342,469	342,469	1,495	340,974
Issuance of common stock for stock plans	25,095	25,095	128	22,126			2,841
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interest	(12,421)	(17,317)		(17,317)				4,896
Adjust redeemable OP unitholder interests to current fair value	(19,819)	(19,819)		(19,819)
Purchase of OP units	(1,324)	(1,324)	3	(1,651)			324
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	9,168	9,168	38	11,637			(2,507)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 9,089,363	$ 9,019,128	$ 73,904	$ 9,920,962	$ 23,354	$ (777,927)	$ (221,165)	$ 70,235