CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Total Ventas Stockholders' Equity	Common Stock Par Value	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 9,355,944	$ 9,274,957	$ 72,240	$ 9,593,583	$ 22,062	$ (412,181)	$ (747)	$ 80,987
Increase (decrease) in stockholders' equity
Net income (loss)	361,775	362,800				362,800		(1,025)
Other comprehensive income	1,292	1,292			1,292
Acquisition-related activity	(239,076)	(229,647)		(8,571)			(221,076)	(9,429)
Net change in noncontrolling interest	(5,194)							(5,194)
Dividends to common stockholders	(728,546)	(728,546)				(728,546)
Issuance of common stock	342,469	342,469	1,495	340,974
Issuance of common stock for stock plans	25,095	25,095	128	22,126			2,841
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interest	(12,421)	(17,317)		(17,317)				4,896
Adjust redeemable OP unitholder interests to current fair value	(19,819)	(19,819)		(19,819)
Purchase of OP units	(1,324)	(1,324)	3	(1,651)			324
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	9,168	9,168	38	11,637			(2,507)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	9,089,363	9,019,128	73,904	9,920,962	23,354	(777,927)	(221,165)	70,235
Increase (decrease) in stockholders' equity
Net income (loss)	346,230	345,069				345,069		1,161
Other comprehensive income	(2,061)	(2,061)			(2,061)
Acquisition-related activity	11,955	(762)		(762)				12,717
Net change in noncontrolling interest	(6,530)							(6,530)
Dividends to common stockholders	(588,770)	(588,770)				(588,770)
Issuance of common stock	106,002	106,002	376	105,626
Issuance of common stock for stock plans	10,899	10,899	17	4,926			5,956
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interest	(11,621)	(13,354)		(13,354)				1,733
Adjust redeemable OP unitholder interests to current fair value	2,538	2,538		2,538
Purchase of OP units	114	114		(388)			502
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	6,289	6,289	48	12,737			(6,496)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 8,964,408	$ 8,885,092	$ 74,345	$ 10,032,285	$ 21,293	$ (1,021,628)	$ (221,203)	$ 79,316