Condensed Consolidating Information (Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets
Net real estate investments	$ 20,578,039		$ 17,667,743
Cash and cash equivalents	53,023		55,348	$ 94,816	$ 67,908
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	77,896		71,771
Deferred financing costs, net	0		0
Investment in and advances to affiliates	0		0
Goodwill	1,047,497		363,971
Assets held for sale	93,060		2,555,322
Other assets	412,403		451,758
Total assets	22,261,918		21,165,913
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt	11,206,996		10,844,351
Intercompany loans	0		0
Accrued interest	80,864		62,182
Accounts payable and other liabilities	779,380		750,657
Liabilities Held for Sale	34,340		237,973
Deferred income taxes	338,382		344,337
Total liabilities	12,439,962		12,239,500
Redeemable OP unitholder and noncontrolling interests	196,529		172,016
Total equity	9,625,427		8,754,397	8,903,811	9,089,363
Total liabilities and equity	22,261,918		21,165,913
Consolidated Elimination
Assets
Investment in and advances to affiliates	(16,534,826)		(14,213,835)
Total assets	(16,534,826)		(14,213,835)
Liabilities:
Total equity	(16,534,826)		(14,213,835)
Total liabilities and equity	(16,534,826)		(14,213,835)
Nationwide Health Properties, LLC
Liabilities:
Ownership percentage		100.00%
Ventas, Inc.
Assets
Net real estate investments	5,798		6,404
Cash and cash equivalents	11,733		24,857	28,169	16,734
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	7,154		2,102
Investment in and advances to affiliates	12,989,643		10,783,780
Other assets	17,869		98,605
Total assets	13,032,197		10,915,748
Liabilities:
Intercompany loans	7,294,158		5,555,196
Accounts payable and other liabilities	68,604		103,469
Deferred income taxes	338,382		344,337
Total liabilities	7,701,144		6,003,002
Total equity	5,331,053		4,912,746
Total liabilities and equity	13,032,197		10,915,748
Ventas Realty
Assets
Net real estate investments	195,015		216,521
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	1,644		1,424
Investment in and advances to affiliates	3,545,183		3,430,055
Assets held for sale	4,488		150,405
Other assets	4,182		41,821
Total assets	3,750,512		3,840,226
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt	8,370,670		7,371,547
Intercompany loans	(6,571,512)		(5,562,739)
Accrued interest	64,561		43,212
Accounts payable and other liabilities	45,226		55,909
Liabilities Held for Sale	44		24,398
Total liabilities	1,908,989		1,932,327
Total equity	1,841,523		1,907,899
Total liabilities and equity	$ 3,750,512		3,840,226
Ownership percentage	100.00%
Ventas Subsidiaries
Assets
Net real estate investments	$ 20,377,226		17,444,818
Cash and cash equivalents	41,290		30,491	$ 66,647	$ 51,174
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	69,098		68,245
Goodwill	1,047,497		363,971
Assets held for sale	88,572		2,404,917
Other assets	390,352		311,332
Total assets	22,014,035		20,623,774
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt	2,836,326		3,472,804
Intercompany loans	(722,646)		7,543
Accrued interest	16,303		18,970
Accounts payable and other liabilities	665,550		591,279
Liabilities Held for Sale	34,296		213,575
Total liabilities	2,829,829		4,304,171
Redeemable OP unitholder and noncontrolling interests	196,529		172,016
Total equity	18,987,677		16,147,587
Total liabilities and equity	$ 22,014,035		$ 20,623,774
Ownership percentage		100.00%
Ventas Capital Corporation
Liabilities:
Ownership percentage	100.00%		100.00%	100.00%