CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION (unaudited) (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$ 835,429	$ 709,319
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,178,101)	(1,213,906)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under revolving credit facility	(92,586)	248,921
Proceeds from debt	1,766,844	1,568,382
Repayment of debt	(840,532)	(1,103,000)
Net change in intercompany debt
Payment of deferred financing costs	(19,977)	(4,257)
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates
Issuance of common stock, net	106,002	342,469
Cash distribution to common stockholders	(588,770)	(545,240)
Cash distribution to redeemable OP unitholders	(3,479)	(3,358)
Purchases of redeemable OP units	(317)	(1,760)
Contributions from Noncontrolling Interests	(2,094)	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(7,614)	(4,035)
Other	7,830	19,130
Net cash provided by financing activities	329,495	517,252
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(13,177)	12,665
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	(59)	58
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	67,908	45,807	58,530
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	54,672		58,530
Ventas, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(11,070)	(5,543)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,338,064)	(1,114,598)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt	(11,420)
Net change in intercompany debt	1,874,740	1,329,833
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates	(38,168)	(13,087)
Issuance of common stock, net	106,002	342,469
Cash distribution to common stockholders	(588,770)	(545,240)
Cash distribution to redeemable OP unitholders	(3,479)	(3,358)
Purchases of redeemable OP units	(317)	(1,760)
Other	7,830	19,130
Net cash provided by financing activities	1,346,418	1,127,987
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(2,716)	7,846
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	16,734	2,335	10,181
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	14,018		10,181
Ventas Realty [Member] [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	114,924	156,211
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,492)	(113)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under revolving credit facility	(90,000)	255,500
Proceeds from debt	1,606,849	1,255,105
Repayment of debt		(521,527)
Net change in intercompany debt	(1,615,925)	(1,050,117)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(18,291)	(3,395)
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates	5,994	(91,722)
Contributions from Noncontrolling Interests	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	(111,373)	(156,156)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	59	(58)
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	(59)	58
Ventas Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	731,575	558,651
Net cash used in investing activities	163,455	(99,195)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under revolving credit facility	(2,586)	(6,579)
Proceeds from debt	159,995	313,277
Repayment of debt	(829,112)	(581,473)
Net change in intercompany debt	(258,815)	(279,716)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(1,686)	(862)
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates	32,174	104,809
Contributions from Noncontrolling Interests	(2,094)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(7,614)	(4,035)
Net cash provided by financing activities	(905,550)	(454,579)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(10,520)	4,877
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	51,174	43,472	48,349
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	40,654		48,349
Consolidated Eliminations
Cash flows from financing activities:
Contributions from Noncontrolling Interests	$ 0