CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Total Ventas Stockholders' Equity	Common Stock Par Value	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 8,903,811	$ 8,824,281	$ 74,488	$ 10,078,592	$ 19,659	$ (1,126,541)	$ (221,917)	$ 79,530
Increase (decrease) in stockholders' equity
Net income	477,186	475,767				475,767		1,419
Other comprehensive loss	(6,538)	(6,538)			(6,538)
Retirement of stock	0	0	(924)	(220,152)			221,076
Acquisition-related activity	10,178	10,178	37	10,141				0
Net change in noncontrolling interest	(7,499)	1,163		1,163				(8,662)
Dividends to common stockholders - ($2.965, $2.31)	(875,614)	(875,614)				(875,614)
Issuance of common stock	242,107	242,107	845	241,262
Issuance of common stock for stock plans	33,297	33,297	173	29,266			3,858
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interest	844	(1,082)		(1,082)				1,926
Adjust redeemable OP unitholder interests to current fair value	(32,993)	(32,993)		(32,993)
Purchase of OP units	(82)	(82)	1	(83)
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	9,700	9,700	36	13,192			(3,528)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	8,754,397	8,680,184	74,656	10,119,306	13,121	(1,526,388)	(511)	74,213
Increase (decrease) in stockholders' equity
Net income	294,162	293,115				293,115		1,047
Other comprehensive loss	(13,713)	(13,713)			(13,713)
Acquisition-related activity	2,216,318	2,216,305	7,103	2,209,202				13
Impact of CCP Spin-Off	(1,253,124)	(1,248,407)		(1,248,407)				(4,717)
Net change in noncontrolling interest	(11,131)	0		0				(11,131)
Dividends to common stockholders - ($2.965, $2.31)	(759,575)	(759,575)				(759,575)
Issuance of common stock	417,818	417,818	1,457	416,361
Issuance of common stock for stock plans	10,388	10,388	22	5,877			4,489
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interest	(849)	(1,663)		(1,663)				814
Adjust redeemable OP unitholder interests to current fair value	10,223	10,223		10,223
Purchase of OP units	1,719	1,719	0	1,719
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	3,041	3,041	0	10,694			(7,653)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 9,669,674	$ 9,609,435	$ 83,238	$ 11,523,312	$ (592)	$ (1,992,848)	$ (3,675)	$ 60,239