Permanent and Temporary Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2017	Jan. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Capital Stock [Abstract]
Number of shares of common stock issued and sold in an underwritten public offering			18,863,841	7,200,000	3,400,000
Aggregate proceeds from issuance of common stock			$ 1,300,000	$ 491,600	$ 242,300
Equity offering program, remaining authorized offering amount			230,600
Stock redeemed			$ 24,300
Excess Share Provision
Percentage of beneficial ownership of common stock acquired used as threshold for determining excess shares (more than)			9.00%
Percentage of beneficial ownership of preferred stock acquired used as threshold for determining excess shares			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			$ (66,192)	(13,926)
Unrealized gain on marketable securities			1,239	1,549
Other			7,419	4,812
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss			$ (57,534)	$ (7,565)
Capital Unit, Class C
Capital Stock [Abstract]
Capital units redeemed (in shares)			331,208
Capital Unit, Ventas Realty OP
Capital Stock [Abstract]
Capital units redeemed (in shares)			65,581	9,309
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				$ 33,200
Common Stock
Capital Stock [Abstract]
Conversion of stock, shares issued			390,558
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
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
Subsequent Event
Capital Stock [Abstract]
Stock redeemed	$ 20,900
Subsequent Event | Capital Unit, Class C
Capital Stock [Abstract]
Capital units redeemed (in shares)	341,776
Subsequent Event | Common Stock
Capital Stock [Abstract]
Conversion of stock, shares issued	341,776