Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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The number of businesses acquired by the entity during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of business during the period. The cash portion only of the acquisition price.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3213-108585

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of real estate investment property, net of accumulated depreciation, which may include the following: (1) land available-for-sale; (2) land available-for-development; (3) investments in building and building improvements; (4) tenant allowances; (5) developments in-process; (6) rental properties; and (7) other real estate investments.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Number of properties in which development has been completed within reporting period

No definition available.

Name:	vtr_Numberofpropertiesinwhichdevelopmenthasbeencompletedwithinreportingperiod
Namespace Prefix:	vtr_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Properties Acquired Previously Owned by Equity Method Investee

No definition available.

Name:	vtr_PropertiesAcquiredPreviouslyOwnedbyEquityMethodInvestee
Namespace Prefix:	vtr_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=vtr_TripleNetLeasedPropertiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=vtr_SeniorHousingCommunitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=vtr_MedicalOfficeBuildingOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=vtr_LifeScienceResearchandMedicalCampusMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=vtr_RealestatewithdevelopmentcompletedincurrentquarterMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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