CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Total Ventas Stockholders’ Equity	Common Stock Par Value	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Treasury Stock	Non- controlling Interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 9,355,944	$ 9,274,957	$ 72,240	$ 9,593,583	$ 22,062	$ (412,181)	$ (747)	$ 80,987
Increase (decrease) in shareholders' equity
Net income (loss)	361,775	362,800				362,800		(1,025)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,292	1,292			1,292
Acquisition-related activity	(239,076)	(229,647)		(8,571)			(221,076)	(9,429)
Net change in noncontrolling interest	(5,194)	0						(5,194)
Dividends to common stockholders	(728,546)	(728,546)				(728,546)
Issuance of common stock, net	342,469	342,469	1,495	340,974
Issuance of common stock for stock plans	25,095	25,095	128	22,126			2,841
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interest	(12,421)	(17,317)		(17,317)				4,896
Adjust redeemable OP unitholder interests to current fair value	(19,819)	(19,819)		(19,819)
Purchase of OP units	(1,324)	(1,324)	3	(1,651)			324
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	9,168	9,168	38	11,637			(2,507)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	9,089,363	9,019,128	73,904	9,920,962	23,354	(777,927)	(221,165)	70,235
Increase (decrease) in shareholders' equity
Net income (loss)	454,889	453,509				453,509		1,380
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(3,695)	(3,695)			(3,695)
Acquisition-related activity	11,955	(762)		(762)				12,717
Net change in noncontrolling interest	(8,202)	0						(8,202)
Dividends to common stockholders	(802,123)	(802,123)				(802,123)
Issuance of common stock, net	141,343	141,343	517	140,826
Issuance of common stock for stock plans	12,640	12,640	19	5,983			6,638
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interest	(10,351)	(13,751)		(13,751)				3,400
Adjust redeemable OP unitholder interests to current fair value	8,683	8,683		8,683
Purchase of OP units	(77)	(77)		(579)			502
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	9,386	9,386	48	17,230			(7,892)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	8,903,811	8,824,281	74,488	10,078,592	19,659	(1,126,541)	(221,917)	79,530
Increase (decrease) in shareholders' equity
Net income (loss)	477,186	475,767				475,767		1,419
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(6,538)	(6,538)			(6,538)
Retirement of stock	0		(924)	(220,152)			221,076
Acquisition-related activity	10,178	10,178	37	10,141
Net change in noncontrolling interest	(7,499)	1,163		1,163				(8,662)
Dividends to common stockholders	(875,614)	(875,614)				(875,614)
Issuance of common stock, net	242,107	242,107	845	241,262
Issuance of common stock for stock plans	33,297	33,297	173	29,266			3,858
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interest	844	(1,082)		(1,082)				1,926
Adjust redeemable OP unitholder interests to current fair value	(32,993)	(32,993)		(32,993)
Purchase of OP units	(82)	(82)	1	(83)
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	9,700	9,700	36	13,192			(3,528)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 8,754,397	$ 8,680,184	$ 74,656	$ 10,119,306	$ 13,121	$ (1,526,388)	$ (511)	$ 74,213