CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock Par Value	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Treasury Stock	Total Ventas Stockholders’ Equity	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 8,754,397	$ 74,656	$ 10,119,306	$ 13,121	$ (1,526,388)	$ (511)	$ 8,680,184	$ 74,213
Increase (decrease) in stockholders' equity
Net income	419,222				417,843		417,843	1,379
Other comprehensive loss	(20,686)			(20,686)			(20,686)
Acquisition-related activity	2,217,158	7,103	2,209,202				2,216,305	853
Impact of CCP Spin-Off	(1,252,073)		(1,247,356)				(1,247,356)	(4,717)
Net change in noncontrolling interest	(12,530)							(12,530)
Dividends to common stockholders	(1,003,413)				(1,003,413)		(1,003,413)
Issuance of common stock	491,024	1,797	489,227				491,024
Issuance of common stock for stock plans	12,036	23	6,068			5,945	12,036
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interest	1,528		(374)				(374)	1,902
Adjust redeemable OP unitholder interests to current fair value	7,831		7,831				7,831
Purchase of OP units	1,719		1,719				1,719
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	9,214		17,215			(8,001)	9,214
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	9,625,427	83,579	11,602,838	(7,565)	(2,111,958)	(2,567)	9,564,327	61,100
Increase (decrease) in stockholders' equity
Net income	149,034				148,980		148,980	54
Other comprehensive loss	(12,367)			(12,367)			(12,367)
Impact of CCP Spin-Off	271		271				271
Net change in noncontrolling interest	(5,033)							(5,033)
Dividends to common stockholders	(245,496)				(245,496)		(245,496)
Issuance of common stock	149,631	655	148,976				149,631
Issuance of common stock for stock plans	7,479	17	5,652			1,810	7,479
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interest	(98)		(311)				(311)	213
Adjust redeemable OP unitholder interests to current fair value	(18,230)		(18,230)				(18,230)
Purchase of OP units	20,794	76	19,989			729	20,794
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	(883)	27	(879)			(31)	(883)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2016	$ 9,670,529	$ 84,354	$ 11,758,306	$ (19,932)	$ (2,208,474)	$ (59)	$ 9,614,195	$ 56,334