LOANS RECEIVABLE AND INVESTMENTS - LOANS RECEIVABLE AND INVESTMENTS - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Loans Receivable And Investments [Abstract]
Total loans receivable and investments, net, carrying amount	$ 786,419	$ 1,406,216

Secured Loans, Unsecured Loans, And Other Available-For-Sale Securities

No definition available.

Name:	vtr_SecuredLoansUnsecuredLoansAndOtherAvailableForSaleSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	vtr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant