Condensed Consolidating Information (Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Net real estate investments	$ 19,907,187	$ 18,543,471
Cash and cash equivalents	55,348	94,816	67,908	45,807
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	71,771	84,657
Deferred financing costs, net	60,328	62,215
Investment in and advances to affiliates	0	0
Other assets	1,131,537	946,335
Total assets	21,226,171	19,731,494
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt	10,888,092	9,364,992
Intercompany loans	0	0
Accrued interest	62,097	54,349
Accounts payable and other liabilities	1,005,232	1,001,515
Deferred income taxes	344,337	250,167
Total liabilities	12,299,758	10,671,023
Redeemable OP unitholder and noncontrolling interests	172,016	156,660
Total equity	8,754,397	8,903,811	9,089,363	9,355,944
Total liabilities and equity	21,226,171	19,731,494
Ventas, Inc.
Assets
Net real estate investments	5,515	7,009
Cash and cash equivalents	24,857	28,169	16,734	2,335
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	2,102	2,104
Deferred financing costs, net	759	758
Investment in and advances to affiliates	10,827,772	10,481,466
Other assets	103,534	29,450
Total assets	10,964,539	10,548,956
Liabilities:
Intercompany loans	5,555,128	4,247,853
Accounts payable and other liabilities	105,037	94,495
Deferred income taxes	344,337	250,167
Total liabilities	6,004,502	4,592,515
Total equity	4,960,037	5,956,441
Total liabilities and equity	10,964,539	10,548,956
Ventas Realty
Assets
Net real estate investments	355,803	374,590
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	1,424	1,211
Deferred financing costs, net	50,669	54,022
Investment in and advances to affiliates	3,466,998	3,201,998
Other assets	57,912	14,102
Total assets	3,932,806	3,645,923
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt	7,422,975	6,336,240
Intercompany loans	(5,586,891)	(4,682,119)
Accrued interest	43,212	39,561
Accounts payable and other liabilities	83,158	28,152
Total liabilities	1,962,454	1,721,834
Total equity	1,970,352	1,924,089
Total liabilities and equity	3,932,806	3,645,923
Ventas Subsidiaries
Assets
Net real estate investments	19,545,869	18,161,872
Cash and cash equivalents	30,491	66,647	51,174	43,472
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	68,245	81,342
Deferred financing costs, net	8,900	7,435
Other assets	970,091	902,783
Total assets	20,623,596	19,220,079
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt	3,465,117	3,028,752
Intercompany loans	31,763	434,266
Accrued interest	18,885	14,788
Accounts payable and other liabilities	817,037	878,868
Total liabilities	4,332,802	4,356,674
Redeemable OP unitholder and noncontrolling interests	172,016	156,660
Total equity	16,118,778	14,706,745
Total liabilities and equity	20,623,596	19,220,079
Consolidated Elimination
Assets
Investment in and advances to affiliates	(14,294,770)	(13,683,464)
Total assets	(14,294,770)	(13,683,464)
Liabilities:
Total equity	(14,294,770)	(13,683,464)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (14,294,770)	$ (13,683,464)