Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The pro forma basic net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (h)(2)-(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56956515&loc=d3e1392-128463

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareBasic
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The pro forma diluted net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareDiluted
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaNetIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The pro forma revenue for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of the period.

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The weighted average number of shares or units and dilutive common stock or unit equivalents outstanding in the calculation of proforma diluted earnings per share (earnings per unit), which is commonly presented in initial public offerings based on the terms of the offering.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ProFormaWeightedAverageSharesOutstandingDiluted
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The weighted average number of shares (units) outstanding in the calculation of pro forma basic earnings per share (earnings per unit), which is commonly presented in initial public offerings based on the terms of the offering.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_WeightedAverageBasicSharesOutstandingProForma
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]

No definition available.

Name:	vtr_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareBasicAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	vtr_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]

No definition available.

Name:	vtr_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	vtr_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Weighted Average Basic and Diluted Shares Outstanding, Pro Forma [Abstract]

No definition available.