Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The interest rate applicable to the portion of the carrying amount of long-term borrowings outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including current maturities, which accrues interest at a set, unchanging rate.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingFixedInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Amount of investment in mortgage loan on real estate by entity with substantial portion of business acquiring and holding investment real estate or interest in real estate.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 948
-SubTopic 310
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-29(Column G))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6589523&loc=d3e617274-123014

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The cash outflow during the period from the repayment of aggregate short-term and long-term debt. Excludes payment of capital lease obligations.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3291-108585

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Represents the minimum total encumbered assets as a percentage of unsecured debt that must be maintained per the debt covenants.

No definition available.

Name:	vtr_MinimumPercentageOfTotalEncumberedAssetsAsPercentageOfUnsecuredDebtRequiredToBeMaintained
Namespace Prefix:	vtr_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the principal amount outstanding of variable rate mortgage loans.

No definition available.

Name:	vtr_MortgageLoansOutstandingWithVariableInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	vtr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Represents the principal amount outstanding of variable rate mortgage loans.

No definition available.

Name:	vtr_MortgageLoansWithFixedInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	vtr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Represents the number of mortgage loans outstanding.

No definition available.

Name:	vtr_NumberOfMortgageLoansOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	vtr_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Represents the number of mortgage loans with a variable interest rate.

No definition available.

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

Represents the number of mortgage loans with a variable interest rate.

No definition available.

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

Number of Properties Securing Debt

No definition available.

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

Represents the weighted average annual rate on fixed rate mortgages.

No definition available.

Name:	vtr_WeightedAverageAnnualRateOnFixedRateMortgageLoans
Namespace Prefix:	vtr_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the weighted average annual rate on variable rate mortgages.

No definition available.

Name:	vtr_WeightedAverageAnnualRateOnVariableRateMortgageLoans
Namespace Prefix:	vtr_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the weighted average maturity period of mortgage loans.

No definition available.