CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION (Unaudited) - Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	$ 211,898	$ 169,300	$ 339,486	$ 249,398
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(8,586)	(15,246)	(4,759)	(3,043)
Unrealized (loss) gain on available for sale securities	(2,395)	12,857	6,896	12,685
Derivative instruments	(16,625)	6,002	(22,063)	14,617
Other comprehensive income	(27,606)	3,613	(19,926)	24,259
Comprehensive income	184,292	172,913	319,560	273,657
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,369	2,781	3,172	4,176
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	182,923	170,132	316,388	269,481
Consolidated Elimination
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	(202,261)	(143,197)	(299,534)	(202,849)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Unrealized (loss) gain on available for sale securities	0	0	0	0
Derivative instruments	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	(202,261)	(143,197)	(299,534)	(202,849)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	(202,261)	(143,197)	(299,534)	(202,849)
Ventas, Inc.
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	210,529	166,519	336,314	245,222
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(8,211)	0	(1,652)	0
Unrealized (loss) gain on available for sale securities	(1,987)	0	(1,987)	0
Derivative instruments	1,723	0	1,723	0
Other comprehensive income	(8,475)	0	(1,916)	0
Comprehensive income	202,054	166,519	334,398	245,222
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	202,054	166,519	334,398	245,222
Ventas Realty
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	(56,389)	(56,250)	(112,419)	(120,551)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Unrealized (loss) gain on available for sale securities	0	0	0	0
Derivative instruments	(14,342)	0	(18,391)	0
Other comprehensive income	(14,342)	0	(18,391)	0
Comprehensive income	(70,731)	(56,250)	(130,810)	(120,551)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	(70,731)	(56,250)	(130,810)	(120,551)
Ventas Subsidiaries
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	260,019	202,228	415,125	327,576
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(375)	(15,246)	(3,107)	(3,043)
Unrealized (loss) gain on available for sale securities	(408)	12,857	8,883	12,685
Derivative instruments	(4,006)	6,002	(5,395)	14,617
Other comprehensive income	(4,789)	3,613	381	24,259
Comprehensive income	255,230	205,841	415,506	351,835
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,369	2,781	3,172	4,176
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ 253,861	$ 203,060	$ 412,334	$ 347,659