Condensed Consolidating Information (Comprehensive Income Statement) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 477,186us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 454,889us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 361,775us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation	(17,153)	(5,422)	2,375
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	7,001	(1,023)	(1,296)
Other	3,614	2,750	213
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(6,538)	(3,695)	1,292
Comprehensive income	470,648	451,194	363,067
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,419	1,380	(1,025)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	469,229us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	449,814us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	364,092us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
Ventas, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	475,767	453,509	362,800
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	7,001	(1,023)	(1,296)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	7,001	(1,023)	(1,296)
Comprehensive income	482,768	452,486	361,504
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	482,768	452,486	361,504
Ventas Realty
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	28,161	79,993	99,791
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Comprehensive income	28,161	79,993	99,791
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	28,161	79,993	99,791
Ventas Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	453,812	371,865	222,843
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation	(17,153)	(5,422)	2,375
Other	3,614	2,750	213
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(13,539)	(2,672)	2,588
Comprehensive income	440,273	369,193	225,431
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,419	1,380	(1,025)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	438,854	367,813	226,456
Consolidated Elimination
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	(480,554)	(450,478)	(323,659)
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Comprehensive income	(480,554)	(450,478)	(323,659)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ (480,554)	$ (450,478)	$ (323,659)

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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