CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION (unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Net real estate investments	$ 17,580,101	$ 17,841,943
Cash and cash equivalents	57,690	67,908	53,224	45,807
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	99,225	105,913
Deferred financing costs, net	54,079	42,551
Investment in and advances to affiliates
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
Intercompany loans
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
Total equity	8,986,811	9,089,363		9,355,944
Total liabilities and equity	18,706,921	18,980,000
Ventas, Inc.
Assets
Net real estate investments	7,463	7,615
Cash and cash equivalents	3,219	16,734	10,045	2,335
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	6,298	7,565
Deferred financing costs, net	758	757
Investment in and advances to affiliates	10,390,975	10,343,664
Other assets	33,907	26,282
Total assets	10,442,620	10,402,617
Liabilities:
Intercompany loans	3,704,278	3,425,082
Accounts payable and other liabilities	85,112	99,631
Deferred income taxes	261,122	259,715
Total liabilities	4,050,512	3,784,428
Total equity	6,392,108	6,618,189
Total liabilities and equity	10,442,620	10,402,617
Ventas Issuers
Assets
Net real estate investments	406,350	412,362
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	1,713	1,952
Deferred financing costs, net	44,346	34,047
Investment in and advances to affiliates	1,867,251	1,867,251
Other assets	7,322	4,043
Total assets	2,326,982	2,319,655
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt	4,953,603	4,570,296
Intercompany loans	(4,541,877)	(4,126,391)
Accrued interest	35,049	24,045
Accounts payable and other liabilities	11,083	7,775
Total liabilities	457,858	475,725
Total equity	1,869,124	1,843,930
Total liabilities and equity	2,326,982	2,319,655
Ventas Subsidiaries
Assets
Net real estate investments	17,166,288	17,421,966
Cash and cash equivalents	54,471	51,174	43,179	43,472
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	91,214	96,396
Deferred financing costs, net	8,975	7,747
Other assets	874,597	891,360
Total assets	18,195,545	18,468,643
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt	3,342,305	3,843,350
Intercompany loans	837,599	701,309
Accrued interest	23,037	23,520
Accounts payable and other liabilities	814,497	887,750
Total liabilities	5,017,438	5,455,929
Redeemable OP unitholder and noncontrolling interests	194,302	174,555
Total equity	12,983,805	12,838,159
Total liabilities and equity	18,195,545	18,468,643
Consolidated Eliminations
Assets
Investment in and advances to affiliates	(12,258,226)	(12,210,915)
Total assets	(12,258,226)	(12,210,915)
Liabilities:
Total equity	(12,258,226)	(12,210,915)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (12,258,226)	$ (12,210,915)