Condensed Consolidating Information (Cash Flow Statement) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2015
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$ 1,391,767	$ 1,254,845	$ 1,194,755
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,423,692)	(2,055,040)	(1,282,760)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under credit facilities	(723,457)	540,203	(164,029)
Net cash impact of CCP Spin-Off	(128,749)	0	0
Proceeds from debt	2,512,747	2,007,707	2,767,546
Proceeds from debt related to CCP Spin-Off	1,400,000	0	0
Repayment of debt	(1,435,596)	(1,151,395)	(1,792,492)
Net change in intercompany debt	0	0	0
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(3,819)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(24,665)	(14,220)	(31,277)
Issuance of common stock, net	491,023	242,107	141,343
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates	0	0	0
Cash distribution to common stockholders	(1,003,413)	(875,614)	(802,123)
Cash distribution to redeemable OP unitholders	(15,095)	(5,762)	(5,040)
Purchases of redeemable OP units	(33,188)	(503)	(659)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(12,649)	(9,559)	(9,286)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	0	491	2,395
Other	6,983	24,602	8,618
Net cash provided by financing activities	1,030,122	758,057	114,996
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(1,803)	(42,138)	26,991
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	(522)	2,670	(83)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	55,348	94,816	67,908
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	53,023	55,348	94,816
Ventas, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(124,752)	(95,660)	(8,596)
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,107,862)	(1,358,256)	(1,416,336)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net cash impact of CCP Spin-Off	1,273,000
Net change in intercompany debt	1,782,954	1,300,790	2,149,080
Issuance of common stock, net	491,023	242,107	141,343
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates	(313,755)	776,826	(54,852)
Cash distribution to common stockholders	(1,003,413)	(875,614)	(802,123)
Cash distribution to redeemable OP unitholders		(5,762)	(5,040)
Purchases of redeemable OP units		(503)	(659)
Other	6,983	24,597	8,618
Net cash provided by financing activities	2,236,792	1,462,441	1,436,367
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	4,178	8,525	11,435
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	(17,302)	(11,837)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	24,857	28,169	16,734
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	11,733	24,857	28,169
Ventas Realty
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(6,704)	81,378	149,734
Net cash used in investing activities	(15,733)	(7,749)	(6,122)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under credit facilities	(584,000)	386,000	(168,000)
Proceeds from debt	2,292,568	696,661	2,330,435
Repayment of debt	(705,000)		(400,000)
Net change in intercompany debt	(1,008,773)	(895,961)	(1,881,988)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(22,297)	(6,608)	(29,586)
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates	49,939	(253,726)	5,610
Other		5
Net cash provided by financing activities	$ 22,437	(73,629)	(143,529)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			83
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents			(83)
Ownership percentage	100.00%
Ventas Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$ 1,523,223	1,269,127	1,053,617
Net cash used in investing activities	(300,097)	(689,035)	139,698
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under credit facilities	(139,457)	154,203	3,971
Net cash impact of CCP Spin-Off	(1,401,749)
Proceeds from debt	220,179	1,311,046	437,111
Proceeds from debt related to CCP Spin-Off	1,400,000
Repayment of debt	(730,596)	(1,151,395)	(1,392,492)
Net change in intercompany debt	(774,181)	(404,829)	(267,092)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(3,819)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(2,368)	(7,612)	(1,691)
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates	263,816	(523,100)	49,242
Cash distribution to redeemable OP unitholders	(15,095)
Purchases of redeemable OP units	(33,188)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(12,649)	(9,559)	(9,286)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest		491	2,395
Net cash provided by financing activities	(1,229,107)	(630,755)	(1,177,842)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(5,981)	(50,663)	15,473
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	16,780	14,507
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	30,491	66,647	51,174
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 41,290	$ 30,491	$ 66,647
Ownership percentage				100.00%
Ventas Capital Corporation
Cash flows from financing activities:
Ownership percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%