Condensed Consolidating Information (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 361,775	$ 363,261	$ 249,729
Foreign currency translation	2,375	(1,944)	6,951
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	(1,296)	(2,691)	354
Other	213	(171)	(106)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	1,292	(4,806)	7,199
Comprehensive income	363,067	358,455	256,928
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,025)	(1,232)	3,562
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	364,092	359,687	253,366
Ventas, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	362,800	364,493	246,167
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	(1,296)	(2,691)	354
Other	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,296)	(2,691)	354
Comprehensive income	361,504	361,802	246,521
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	361,504	361,802	246,521
Ventas Issuers
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	82,840	144,681	191,399
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	82,840	144,681	191,399
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	82,840	144,681	191,399
Ventas Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	239,545	87,307	72,518
Foreign currency translation	2,375	(1,944)	6,951
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	0	0	0
Other	213	(171)	(106)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	2,588	(2,115)	6,845
Comprehensive income	242,133	85,192	79,363
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,025)	(1,232)	3,562
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	243,158	86,424	75,801
Consolidated Elimination
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	(323,410)	(233,220)	(260,355)
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	(323,410)	(233,220)	(260,355)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ (323,410)	$ (233,220)	$ (260,355)