Condensed Consolidating Information (Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets
Net real estate investments	$ 21,192,696	$ 20,578,039
Cash and cash equivalents	286,707	53,023	$ 55,348	$ 94,816
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	80,647	77,896
Investment in and advances to affiliates	0	0
Goodwill	1,033,225	1,047,497
Assets held for sale	54,961	93,060
Other assets	518,364	412,403
Total assets	23,166,600	22,261,918
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt	11,127,326	11,206,996
Intercompany loans	0	0
Accrued interest	83,762	80,864
Accounts payable and other liabilities	907,928	779,380
Liabilities Held for Sale	1,462	34,340
Deferred income taxes	316,641	338,382
Total liabilities	12,437,119	12,439,962
Redeemable OP unitholder and noncontrolling interests	200,728	196,529
Total equity	10,528,753	9,625,427	8,754,397	8,903,811
Total liabilities and equity	23,166,600	22,261,918
Consolidated Elimination
Assets
Investment in and advances to affiliates	(17,196,604)	(16,534,826)
Total assets	(17,196,604)	(16,534,826)
Liabilities:
Total equity	(17,196,604)	(16,534,826)
Total liabilities and equity	(17,196,604)	(16,534,826)
Ventas, Inc.
Assets
Net real estate investments	2,007	5,798
Cash and cash equivalents	210,303	11,733	24,857	28,169
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	198	7,154
Investment in and advances to affiliates	14,258,162	12,989,643
Other assets	35,468	17,869
Total assets	14,506,138	13,032,197
Liabilities:
Intercompany loans	7,087,902	7,294,158
Accounts payable and other liabilities	89,284	68,604
Deferred income taxes	316,641	338,382
Total liabilities	7,493,827	7,701,144
Total equity	7,012,311	5,331,053
Total liabilities and equity	14,506,138	13,032,197
Ventas Realty
Assets
Net real estate investments	173,259	195,015
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	1,504	1,644
Investment in and advances to affiliates	2,938,442	3,545,183
Assets held for sale		4,488
Other assets	6,792	4,182
Total assets	3,119,997	3,750,512
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt	8,406,979	8,370,670
Intercompany loans	(6,209,707)	(6,571,512)
Accrued interest	65,403	64,561
Accounts payable and other liabilities	35,587	45,226
Liabilities Held for Sale	(1)	44
Total liabilities	2,298,261	1,908,989
Total equity	821,736	1,841,523
Total liabilities and equity	3,119,997	3,750,512
Ventas Subsidiaries
Assets
Net real estate investments	21,017,430	20,377,226
Cash and cash equivalents	76,404	41,290	$ 30,491	$ 66,647
Escrow deposits and restricted cash	78,945	69,098
Goodwill	1,033,225	1,047,497
Assets held for sale	54,961	88,572
Other assets	476,104	390,352
Total assets	22,737,069	22,014,035
Liabilities:
Senior notes payable and other debt	2,720,347	2,836,326
Intercompany loans	(878,195)	(722,646)
Accrued interest	18,359	16,303
Accounts payable and other liabilities	783,057	665,550
Liabilities Held for Sale	1,463	34,296
Total liabilities	2,645,031	2,829,829
Redeemable OP unitholder and noncontrolling interests	200,728	196,529
Total equity	19,891,310	18,987,677
Total liabilities and equity	$ 22,737,069	$ 22,014,035