Permanent and Temporary Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended					10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 12, 2016	Feb. 10, 2016	Apr. 30, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2015
Capital Stock [Abstract]
Number of shares of common stock issued and sold in an underwritten public offering				3,750,202		3,434,839		3,381,678	2,069,200
Equity offering program, authorized amount					$ 750,000
Aggregate proceeds from issuance of common stock				$ 285,400		$ 206,200		$ 242,300	$ 141,500
Sales agent commissions and fees for common stock sales				$ 4,400		3,100		$ 3,700	$ 2,100
Common stock reserved for future issuance, amount (up to $1.0 Billion)										$ 1,000,000
Equity offering program, remaining authorized offering amount						$ 790,700	$ 790,700
Excess Share Provision
Percentage of beneficial ownership of common stock acquired used as threshold for determining excess shares (more than)						9.00%	9.00%
Percentage of beneficial ownership of preferred stock acquired used as threshold for determining excess shares						9.90%	9.90%
Maximum deferral payment period of purchase price for excess shares (in years)							5 years
Distribution Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan
Discount on purchase price of common stock to shareholders reinvesting their dividends and/or make optional cash purchases through the DRIP (as a percent)								1.00%
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Foreign currency translation						$ (13,926)	$ (13,926)	$ 866
Unrealized gain on marketable securities						1,738	1,738	6,785
Other						4,623	4,623	5,470
Total accumulated other comprehensive income						$ (7,565)	$ (7,565)	$ 13,121
Subsequent Event
Capital Stock [Abstract]
Number of shares of common stock issued and sold in an underwritten public offering	1,649,463
Aggregate proceeds from issuance of common stock	$ 90,800
Sales agent commissions and fees for common stock sales	$ 1,400
Ventas Realty Capital Healthcare Trust Operating Partnership, LP | Class A Units | Subsequent Event
Capital Stock [Abstract]
Conversion of stock, shares issued		303,136
Ventas Realty Capital Healthcare Trust Operating Partnership, LP | Class A Units | Capital Unit, Class C
Capital Stock [Abstract]
Capital units redeemed (in shares)			445,541
Capital account redemptions			$ 32,600
Ventas Realty Capital Healthcare Trust Operating Partnership, LP | Class A Units | Capital Unit, Class C | Subsequent Event
Capital Stock [Abstract]
Capital units redeemed (in shares)		303,136
American Realty Capital Healthcare Trust | Capital Unit, Class C
Capital Stock [Abstract]
Number of shares of common stock issued and sold in an underwritten public offering				1,100,000.0
American Realty Capital Healthcare Trust | Common Stock
Capital Stock [Abstract]
Number of shares of common stock issued and sold in an underwritten public offering				28,400,000