CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION (unaudited) (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	$ 121,274		$ 113,098		$ 454,889
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(3,334)		(2,091)
Change in unrealized gain on intra-entity currency loan	594		0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	1,306		61
Other	239		504
Other comprehensive loss	(1,195)		(1,526)		(3,695)
Comprehensive income	120,079		111,572
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	227		905
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	119,852		110,667
Ventas, Inc.
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	121,047		112,193
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in unrealized gain on intra-entity currency loan	594
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	1,306		61
Other comprehensive loss	1,900		61
Comprehensive income	122,947		112,254
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0		0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	122,947		112,254
Ventas Realty
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	14,006	[1]	25,010	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Comprehensive income	14,006		25,010
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0		0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	14,006		25,010
Ventas Subsidiaries
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	112,446		92,222
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(3,334)		(2,091)
Change in unrealized gain on intra-entity currency loan	0
Other	239		504
Other comprehensive loss	(3,095)		(1,587)
Comprehensive income	109,351		90,635
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	227		905
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	109,124		89,730
Consolidated Eliminations
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	(126,225)		(116,327)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Comprehensive income	(126,225)		(116,327)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0		0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ (126,225)		$ (116,327)

[1] Certain of Ventas Realty’s outstanding senior notes were issued jointly with our 100% owned subsidiary, Ventas Capital Corporation, which has no assets or operations.