CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION (unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Net real estate investments	$ 17,699,444	$ 17,841,943
Cash and cash equivalents	62,421	67,908	52,803	45,807
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	94,492	105,913
Deferred financing costs, net	50,821	42,551
Investment in and advances to affiliates
Other assets	889,404	921,685
Total assets	18,796,582	18,980,000
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt	8,420,073	8,413,646
Intercompany loans
Accrued interest	50,860	47,565
Accounts payable and other liabilities	887,314	995,156
Deferred income taxes	247,591	259,715
Total liabilities	9,605,838	9,716,082
Redeemable OP unitholder and noncontrolling interests	184,217	174,555
Total equity	9,006,527	9,089,363		9,355,944
Total liabilities and equity	18,796,582	18,980,000
Ventas, Inc.
Assets
Net real estate investments	7,312	7,615
Cash and cash equivalents	9,785	16,734	2,717	2,335
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	6,290	7,565
Deferred financing costs, net	758	757
Investment in and advances to affiliates	10,632,033	10,343,664
Other assets	37,461	26,282
Total assets	10,693,639	10,402,617
Liabilities:
Intercompany loans	4,062,286	3,425,082
Accounts payable and other liabilities	86,823	99,631
Deferred income taxes	247,591	259,715
Total liabilities	4,396,700	3,784,428
Total equity	6,296,939	6,618,189
Total liabilities and equity	10,693,639	10,402,617
Ventas Issuers
Assets
Net real estate investments	392,145	412,362
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	1,561	1,952
Deferred financing costs, net	41,571	34,047
Investment in and advances to affiliates	1,867,251	1,867,251
Other assets	9,130	4,043
Total assets	2,311,658	2,319,655
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt	5,051,466	4,570,296
Intercompany loans	(4,678,051)	(4,126,391)
Accrued interest	34,836	24,045
Accounts payable and other liabilities	11,195	7,775
Total liabilities	419,446	475,725
Total equity	1,892,212	1,843,930
Total liabilities and equity	2,311,658	2,319,655
Ventas Subsidiaries
Assets
Net real estate investments	17,299,987	17,421,966
Cash and cash equivalents	52,636	51,174	50,086	43,472
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	86,641	96,396
Deferred financing costs, net	8,492	7,747
Other assets	842,813	891,360
Total assets	18,290,569	18,468,643
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt	3,368,607	3,843,350
Intercompany loans	615,765	701,309
Accrued interest	16,024	23,520
Accounts payable and other liabilities	789,296	887,750
Total liabilities	4,789,692	5,455,929
Redeemable OP unitholder and noncontrolling interests	184,217	174,555
Total equity	13,316,660	12,838,159
Total liabilities and equity	18,290,569	18,468,643
Consolidated Eliminations
Assets
Investment in and advances to affiliates	(12,499,284)	(12,210,915)
Total assets	(12,499,284)	(12,210,915)
Liabilities:
Total equity	(12,499,284)	(12,210,915)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (12,499,284)	$ (12,210,915)