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The entity including portions attributable to the parent and noncontrolling interests is sometimes referred to as the economic entity. This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity. 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If an entity's functional currency is a foreign currency, translation adjustments result from the process of translating that entity's financial statements into the reporting currency. Includes gain (loss) on foreign currency forward exchange contracts. Includes foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity and intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements. Includes the gain or loss on a derivative instrument or nonderivative financial instrument that may give rise to a foreign currency transaction gain or loss under FAS 52 and that have been designated and have qualified as hedging instruments for hedges of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 52 -Paragraph 13, 20, 31 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 45 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 17 false 9 Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable debt securities 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 17327000 17327 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false true false false 17327000 17327 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false true false false 17327000 17327 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Appreciation or loss in value (before reclassification adjustment) of the total of unsold securities during the period being reported on, net of tax. 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No authoritative reference available. true 11 Comprehensive income 4 us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 307253000 307253 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false true false false 2865000 2865 true false false 8 false true false false 310118000 310118 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A5 -Appendix A Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 30 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 false 12 Net change in noncontrolling interest 3 us-gaap_MinorityInterestPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 334000 334 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false true false false 334000 334 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false true false false -3453000 -3453 true false false 8 false true false false -3119000 -3119 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Net increase (decrease) in balance of noncontrolling interest in the subsidiary during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 false 13 Dividends to common stockholders - $2.05 per share and $ 1.07 per share, for 2009 and 2010 respectively 3 us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false -314399000 -314399 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false true false false -314399000 -314399 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false true false false -314399000 -314399 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Common stock cash dividend declared by an entity during the period. This element includes paid and unpaid dividends declared during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 false 14 Issuance of common stock 3 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 299201000 299201 true false false 2 false true false false 3266000 3266 true false false 3 false true false false 295935000 295935 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false true false false 299201000 299201 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Value of new stock issued during the period. 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No authoritative reference available. false 16 Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures 3 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false -500000 -500 true false false 2 false true false false 39000 39 true false false 3 false true false false -174000 -174 true false false 4 false true false false -365000 -365 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false true false false -500000 -500 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Value of stock related to Restricted Stock Awards issued during the period, net of the stock value of such awards forfeited. 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The entity including portions attributable to the parent and noncontrolling interests is sometimes referred to as the economic entity. This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity. 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If an entity's functional currency is a foreign currency, translation adjustments result from the process of translating that entity's financial statements into the reporting currency. Includes gain (loss) on foreign currency forward exchange contracts. Includes foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity and intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements. Includes the gain or loss on a derivative instrument or nonderivative financial instrument that may give rise to a foreign currency transaction gain or loss under FAS 52 and that have been designated and have qualified as hedging instruments for hedges of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 52 -Paragraph 13, 20, 31 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 45 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 17 false 9 Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable debt securities 4 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false -869000 -869 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false true false false -869000 -869 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false true false false -869000 -869 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Appreciation or loss in value (before reclassification adjustment) of the total of unsold securities during the period being reported on, net of tax. Reclassification adjustments include: (1) the unrealized holding gain or loss, net of tax, at the date of the transfer for a debt security from the held-to-maturity category transferred into the available-for-sale category. Also includes the unrealized gain or loss at the date of transfer for a debt security from the available-for-sale category transferred into the held-to-maturity category; (2) the unrealized gains or losses realized upon the sale of securities, after tax; and (3) the unrealized gains or losses realized upon the write-down of securities, after tax. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 17, 22 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 24 -Subparagraph b false 10 Other 4 vtr_OtherComprehensiveIncomeOtherNetOfTax vtr false debit duration The adjustment out of other comprehensive income, after tax. false false false false false false false false false false true negatedtotal false 1 false true false false -144000 -144 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false true false false -144000 -144 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false true false false -144000 -144 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The adjustment out of other comprehensive income, after tax. No authoritative reference available. true 11 Comprehensive income 4 us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 107523000 107523 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false true false false 1447000 1447 true false false 8 false true false false 108970000 108970 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A5 -Appendix A Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 30 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 false 12 Net change in noncontrolling interest 3 us-gaap_MinorityInterestPeriodIncreaseDecrease us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 2246000 2246 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false true false false 2246000 2246 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false true false false -4990000 -4990 true false false 8 false true false false -2744000 -2744 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Net increase (decrease) in balance of noncontrolling interest in the subsidiary during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 false 13 Dividends to common stockholders - $2.05 per share and $ 1.07 per share, for 2009 and 2010 respectively 3 us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false -167829000 -167829 true false false 2 false false false false 0 0 true false false 3 false false false false 0 0 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 false true false false -167829000 -167829 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false true false false -167829000 -167829 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Common stock cash dividend declared by an entity during the period. This element includes paid and unpaid dividends declared during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 false 15 Issuance of common stock for stock plans 3 vtr_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueLongTermIncentivePlanActivity vtr false credit duration Aggregate change in value for stock issued during the period related to long-term incentive plan activity. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 9759000 9759 true false false 2 false true false false 149000 149 true false false 3 false true false false 7155000 7155 true false false 4 false true false false 2455000 2455 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false true false false 9759000 9759 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Aggregate change in value for stock issued during the period related to long-term incentive plan activity. No authoritative reference available. false 16 Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures 3 us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false -802000 -802 true false false 2 false true false false 34000 34 true false false 3 false true false false 972000 972 true false false 4 false true false false -1808000 -1808 true false false 5 false false false false 0 0 true false false 6 false false false false 0 0 true false false 7 false false false false 0 0 true false false 8 false true false false -802000 -802 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Value of stock related to Restricted Stock Awards issued during the period, net of the stock value of such awards forfeited. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph A240 -Subparagraph b true 17 Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2010 3 us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true credit instant No definition available. false false false true false false false false false true false periodendlabel instant 2010-06-30T00:00:00 0001-01-01T00:00:00 false 1 true true false false 2416408000 2416408 true false false 2 true true false false 39343000 39343 true false false 3 true true false false 2583412000 2583412 true false false 4 false false false false 0 0 true false false 5 true true false false -222853000 -222853 true false false 6 true true false false 16506000 16506 true false false 7 true true false false 15006000 15006 true false false 8 true true false false 2431414000 2431414 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Total of Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors owners, and affiliates of the entity including portions attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interest), if any. The entity including portions attributable to the parent and noncontrolling interests is sometimes referred to as the economic entity. This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 25 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 26 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A3 -Appendix A false 8 24 false Thousands UnKnown UnKnown false true