CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION (unaudited) (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	$ 109,701		$ 118,599		$ 369,541		$ 346,230		$ 454,889
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(2,747)		1,665		(3,320)		(3,148)
Change in unrealized gain on intra-entity currency loan	(10,138)		0		(4,586)		0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	(334)		(208)		1,237		(1,015)
Other	3,120		84		3,166		2,102
Other comprehensive loss	(10,099)		1,541		(3,503)		(2,061)		(3,695)
Comprehensive income	99,602		120,140		366,038		344,169
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	569		303		964		1,161
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	99,033		119,837		365,074		343,008
Ventas, Inc.
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	109,132		118,296		368,577		345,069
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in unrealized gain on intra-entity currency loan	(10,138)				(4,586)
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	(334)		(208)		1,237		(1,015)
Other comprehensive loss	(10,472)		(208)		(3,349)		(1,015)
Comprehensive income	98,660		118,088		365,228		344,054
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0		0		0		0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	98,660		118,088		365,228		344,054
Ventas Realty
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	4,515	[1]	20,187	[1]	25,645	[1]	67,467	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Comprehensive income	4,515	[1]	20,187	[1]	25,645	[1]	67,467	[1]
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0		0		0		0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	4,515	[1]	20,187	[1]	25,645	[1]	67,467	[1]
Ventas Subsidiaries
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	120,834		98,467		358,821		273,722
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(2,747)		1,665		(3,320)		(3,148)
Other	3,120		84		3,166		2,102
Other comprehensive loss	373		1,749		(154)		(1,046)
Comprehensive income	121,207		100,216		358,667		272,676
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	569		303		964		1,161
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	120,638		99,913		357,703		271,515
Consolidated Eliminations
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	(124,780)		(118,351)		(383,502)		(340,028)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Comprehensive income	(124,780)		(118,351)		(383,502)		(340,028)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0		0		0		0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ (124,780)		$ (118,351)		$ (383,502)		$ (340,028)

[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.