CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION (unaudited) (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$ 230,305	$ 244,961
Net cash used in investing activities	59,473	(40,312)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under revolving credit facility	(375,916)	(382,398)
Proceeds from debt	916,871	667,330
Repayment of debt	(635,793)	(298,801)
Net change in intercompany debt
Payment of deferred financing costs	(13,808)	(1,793)
Issuance of common stock, net	5,050	0
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates
Cash distribution to common stockholders	(195,700)	(179,253)
Cash distribution to redeemable OP unitholders	(1,151)	(1,112)
Purchases of redeemable OP units	(108)	(233)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(1,450)	(1,592)
Other	2,058	565
Net cash used in financing activities	(299,947)	(197,287)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(10,169)	7,362
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	(49)	55
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	67,908	45,807
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	57,690	53,224
Ventas, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(26,368)	(2,966)
Net cash used in investing activities	(47,169)	8,347
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt	(11,420)
Net change in intercompany debt	279,196	219,912
Issuance of common stock, net	5,050
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates	(17,903)	(37,550)
Cash distribution to common stockholders	(195,700)	(179,253)
Cash distribution to redeemable OP unitholders	(1,151)	(1,112)
Purchases of redeemable OP units	(108)	(233)
Other	2,058	565
Net cash used in financing activities	60,022	2,329
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(13,515)	7,710
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	16,734	2,335
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	3,219	10,045
Ventas Issuers
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	51,309	70,263
Net cash used in investing activities	(5,835)	(15,038)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under revolving credit facility	(376,000)	(380,000)
Proceeds from debt	758,460	591,384
Repayment of debt		(206,500)
Net change in intercompany debt	(415,487)	(22,107)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(12,160)	(1,473)
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates	(238)	(36,584)
Net cash used in financing activities	(45,425)	(55,280)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	49	(55)
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	(49)	55
Ventas Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	205,364	177,664
Net cash used in investing activities	112,477	(33,621)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under revolving credit facility	84	(2,398)
Proceeds from debt	158,411	75,946
Repayment of debt	(624,373)	(92,301)
Net change in intercompany debt	136,291	(197,805)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(1,648)	(320)
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates	18,141	74,134
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(1,450)	(1,592)
Net cash used in financing activities	(314,544)	(144,336)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	3,297	(293)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	51,174	43,472
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 54,471	$ 43,179