CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Total Ventas Stockholders’ Equity	Common Stock Par Value	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Treasury Stock	Non- controlling Interest
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 shareholders' equity
Net income	477,001	475,767				475,767		1,234
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(6,538)	(6,538)			(6,538)
Retirement of stock			(924)	(220,152)			221,076
Acquisition-related activity	10,178	10,178	37	10,141
Net change in noncontrolling interest	(7,314)	1,163		(1,163)				(8,477)
Dividends to common stockholders	(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)
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 shareholders' equity
Net income	419,222	417,843				417,843		1,379
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(20,686)	(20,686)			(20,686)
Acquisition-related activity	2,217,158	2,216,305	7,103	2,209,202				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	491,024	1,797	489,227
Issuance of common stock for stock plans	12,036	12,036	23	6,068			5,945
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	9,214		17,215			(8,001)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	9,625,427	9,564,327	83,579	11,602,838	(7,565)	(2,111,958)	(2,567)	61,100
Increase (decrease) in shareholders' equity
Net income	651,490	649,231				649,231		2,259
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(49,969)	(49,969)			(49,969)
Impact of CCP Spin-Off	640	640		640
Net change in noncontrolling interest	16,829	(2,179)		(2,179)				19,008
Dividends to common stockholders	(1,024,968)	(1,024,968)				(1,024,968)
Issuance of common stock	1,286,680	1,286,680	4,716	1,281,947			17
Issuance of common stock for stock plans	29,265	29,265	99	26,594			2,572
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interest	(15,568)	(1,714)		(1,714)				(13,854)
Adjust redeemable OP unitholder interests to current fair value	(21,085)	(21,085)		(21,085)
Purchase of OP units	23,812	23,812	92	22,622			1,098
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	6,200	6,200	28	7,339			(1,167)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 10,528,753	$ 10,460,240	$ 88,514	$ 12,917,002	$ (57,534)	$ (2,487,695)	$ (47)	$ 68,513