Condensed Consolidating Information (Comprehensive Income Statement) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 454,889		$ 361,775		$ 363,261
Foreign currency translation	(5,422)		2,375		(1,944)
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	(1,023)		(1,296)		(2,691)
Other	2,750		213		(171)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(3,695)		1,292		(4,806)
Comprehensive income	451,194		363,067		358,455
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,380		(1,025)		(1,232)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	449,814		364,092		359,687
Ventas, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	453,509		362,800		364,493
Foreign currency translation	0		0		0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	(1,023)		(1,296)		(2,691)
Other	0		0		0
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(1,023)		(1,296)		(2,691)
Comprehensive income	452,486		361,504		361,802
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0		0		0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	452,486		361,504		361,802
Ventas Realty (1)
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	79,994	[1]	99,790	[1]	144,682	[1]
Foreign currency translation	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Other	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Comprehensive income	79,994	[1]	99,790	[1]	144,682	[1]
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	79,994	[1]	99,790	[1]	144,682	[1]
Ventas Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	371,863		222,843		87,312
Foreign currency translation	(5,422)		2,375		(1,944)
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	0		0		0
Other	2,750		213		(171)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(2,672)		2,588		(2,115)
Comprehensive income	369,191		225,431		85,197
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,380		(1,025)		(1,232)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	367,811		226,456		86,429
Consolidated Elimination
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	(450,477)		(323,658)		(233,226)
Foreign currency translation	0		0		0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	0		0		0
Other	0		0		0
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	0		0		0
Comprehensive income	(450,477)		(323,658)		(233,226)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0		0		0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ (450,477)		$ (323,658)		$ (233,226)

[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.