CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Real estate investments:
Land and improvements	$ 1,764,208	$ 1,772,417
Buildings and improvements	16,977,860	16,920,821
Construction in progress	72,714	70,665
Acquired lease intangibles	984,023	981,704
Gross real estate investments	19,798,805	19,745,607
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(2,803,068)	(2,634,075)
Net real estate property	16,995,737	17,111,532
Secured loans receivable, net	490,107	635,002
Investments in unconsolidated entities	94,257	95,409
Net real estate investments	17,580,101	17,841,943
Cash and cash equivalents	57,690	67,908
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	99,225	105,913
Deferred financing costs, net	54,079	42,551
Other assets	915,826	921,685
Total assets	18,706,921	18,980,000
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt	8,295,908	8,413,646
Accrued interest	58,086	47,565
Accounts payable and other liabilities	910,692	995,156
Deferred income taxes	261,122	259,715
Total liabilities	9,525,808	9,716,082
Redeemable OP unitholder and noncontrolling interests	194,302	174,555
Commitments and contingencies
Ventas stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value; 10,000 shares authorized, unissued	0	0
Common stock, $0.25 par value; 600,000 shares authorized, 295,823 and 295,565 shares issued at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	73,969	73,904
Capital in excess of par value	9,904,694	9,920,962
Accumulated other comprehensive income	21,828	23,354
Retained earnings (deficit)	(861,434)	(777,927)
Treasury stock, 3,736 and 3,699 shares at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	(223,709)	(221,165)
Total Ventas stockholders' equity	8,915,348	9,019,128
Noncontrolling interest	71,463	70,235
Total equity	8,986,811	9,089,363
Total liabilities and equity	$ 18,706,921	$ 18,980,000