Description of Business (Details)	Dec. 31, 2014 property
Real estate properties
Number of real estate properties	1,500us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
Number of properties leased	922
KINDRED
Real estate properties
Number of independent third party managed properties	83
BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING
Real estate properties
Number of independent third party managed properties	160
Number of properties included in investments in unconsolidated entities	6
Number of properties included in investments in unconsolidated entities, pursuant to management agreement	1
Development projects
Real estate properties
Number of real estate properties	1
Seniors Housing Communities
Real estate properties
Number of independent third party managed properties	270

The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

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

The number of properties that are managed by the independent third party.

No definition available.

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

Number of Properties Included in Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

No definition available.

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

Number Of Properties Included In Investments In Unconsolidated Entities, Pursuant To Management Agreement

No definition available.

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

The number of properties owned that are leased to unaffiliated tenants under triple-net lease terms.

No definition available.

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

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis=vtr_DevelopementProjectsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis=vtr_SeniorsHousingCommunitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	vtr_PropertySubjectToOperatingLeaseByLessorAxis=vtr_BrookdaleSeniorLivingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	vtr_PropertySubjectToOperatingLeaseByLessorAxis=vtr_KindredMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: