CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION (unaudited) (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	$ 138,566		$ 114,533		$ 259,840		$ 227,631		$ 454,889
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	2,761		(2,722)		(573)		(4,813)
Change in unrealized gain on intra-entity currency loan	4,958		0		5,552		0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	265		(868)		1,571		(807)
Other	(193)		1,514		46		2,018
Other comprehensive loss	7,791		(2,076)		6,596		(3,602)		(3,695)
Comprehensive income	146,357		112,457		266,436		224,029
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	168		(47)		395		858
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	146,189		112,504		266,041		223,171
Ventas, Inc.
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	138,398		114,580		259,445		226,773
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in unrealized gain on intra-entity currency loan	4,958				5,552
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	265		(868)		1,571		(807)
Other comprehensive loss	5,223		(868)		7,123		(807)
Comprehensive income	143,621		113,712		266,568		225,966
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	143,621		113,712		266,568		225,966
Ventas Realty
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	7,123	[1]	22,267	[1]	21,130	[1]	47,280	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Comprehensive income	7,123	[1]	22,267	[1]	21,130	[1]	47,280	[1]
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	7,123	[1]	22,267	[1]	21,130	[1]	47,280	[1]
Ventas Subsidiaries
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	125,541		83,045		237,986		175,254
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	2,761		(2,722)		(573)		(4,813)
Other	(193)		1,514		46		2,018
Other comprehensive loss	2,568		(1,208)		(527)		(2,795)
Comprehensive income	128,109		81,837		237,459		172,459
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	168		(47)		395		858
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	127,941		81,884		237,064		171,601
Consolidated Eliminations
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	(132,496)		(105,359)		(258,721)		(221,676)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Comprehensive income	(132,496)		(105,359)		(258,721)		(221,676)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ (132,496)		$ (105,359)		$ (258,721)		$ (221,676)

[1] Certain of Ventas Realty’s outstanding senior notes were issued jointly with our 100% owned subsidiary, Ventas Capital Corporation, which has no assets or operations.