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SENIOR NOTES PAYABLE AND OTHER DEBT (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding $ 11,584,842us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount $ 10,872,371us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
Unamortized fair value adjustment 47,431vtr_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedFairValueAdjustment 41,853vtr_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedFairValueAdjustment
Unamortized discounts (28,348)vtr_UnamortizedDiscounts (26,132)vtr_UnamortizedDiscounts
Senior notes payable and other debt 11,603,925us-gaap_LongTermDebt 10,888,092us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Unsecured revolving credit facilities    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 451,924us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember		 919,099us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Unsecured revolving credit facilities | Canada, Dollars    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 15,900us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_CurrencyAxis
= currency_CAD
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember		 164,100us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_CurrencyAxis
= currency_CAD
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
3.125% Senior Notes due 2015    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 400,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_ThreePointOneTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2015Member		 400,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_ThreePointOneTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2015Member
Interest rate (as a percent) 3.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_ThreePointOneTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2015Member		 3.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_ThreePointOneTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2015Member
6% Senior Notes due 2015    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 234,420us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_SixPercentSeniorNotesDue2015Member		 234,420us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_SixPercentSeniorNotesDue2015Member
Interest rate (as a percent) 6.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_SixPercentSeniorNotesDue2015Member		 6.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_SixPercentSeniorNotesDue2015Member
1.55% Senior Notes due 2016    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 550,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_OnePointFiveFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2016Member		 550,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_OnePointFiveFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2016Member
Interest rate (as a percent) 1.55%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_OnePointFiveFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2016Member		 1.55%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_OnePointFiveFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2016Member
1.250% Senior Notes due 2017    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 300,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_OnePointTwoFiveZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2017Member		 300,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_OnePointTwoFiveZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2017Member
Interest rate (as a percent) 1.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_OnePointTwoFiveZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2017Member		 1.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_OnePointTwoFiveZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2017Member
2.00% Senior Notes due 2018    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 700,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_TwoPercentSeniorNotesDue2018Member		 700,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_TwoPercentSeniorNotesDue2018Member
Interest rate (as a percent) 2.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_TwoPercentSeniorNotesDue2018Member		 2.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_TwoPercentSeniorNotesDue2018Member
Unsecured term loan    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 1,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanMember		  
Unsecured term loan | Canada, Dollars    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 98,100us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_CurrencyAxis
= currency_CAD
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanMember		  
Unsecured Term Loan Due 2018    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 200,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDue2018NumberTwoMember		 200,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDue2018NumberTwoMember
Unsecured Term Loan Due 2019    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 781,655us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDue2019Member		 790,634us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDue2019Member
4.00% senior notes due 2019    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 600,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_FourPercentSeniorNotesDue2019Member		 600,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_FourPercentSeniorNotesDue2019Member
Interest rate (as a percent) 4.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_FourPercentSeniorNotesDue2019Member		 4.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_FourPercentSeniorNotesDue2019Member
3.00% Senior Notes, Series A due 2019    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 315,333us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_ThreePercentSeniorNotesSeriesADue2019Member		 344,204us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_ThreePercentSeniorNotesSeriesADue2019Member
Interest rate (as a percent) 3.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_ThreePercentSeniorNotesSeriesADue2019Member		 3.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_ThreePercentSeniorNotesSeriesADue2019Member
2.700% Senior Notes due 2020    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 500,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_TwoPointSevenPercentSeniorNotesDue2020Member		 500,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_TwoPointSevenPercentSeniorNotesDue2020Member
Interest rate (as a percent) 2.70%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_TwoPointSevenPercentSeniorNotesDue2020Member		 2.70%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_TwoPointSevenPercentSeniorNotesDue2020Member
4.750% Senior Notes due 2021    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 700,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_FourPointSevenFiveZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2021Member		 700,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_FourPointSevenFiveZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2021Member
Interest rate (as a percent) 4.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_FourPointSevenFiveZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2021Member		 4.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_FourPointSevenFiveZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2021Member
4.25% senior notes due 2022    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 600,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_FourPointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2022Member		 600,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_FourPointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2022Member
Interest rate (as a percent) 4.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_FourPointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2022Member		 4.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_FourPointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2022Member
3.25% senior notes due 2022    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 500,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_ThreePointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2022Member		 500,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_ThreePointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2022Member
Interest rate (as a percent) 3.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_ThreePointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2022Member		 3.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_ThreePointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2022Member
3.300% Senior Notes due 2022    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 197,083us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_SeniorNotesDue2022Member		  
Interest rate (as a percent) 3.30%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_SeniorNotesDue2022Member		  
3.750% Senior Notes due 2024    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 400,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_ThreePointSevenFiveZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2024Member		 400,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_ThreePointSevenFiveZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2024Member
Interest rate (as a percent) 3.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_ThreePointSevenFiveZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2024Member		 3.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_ThreePointSevenFiveZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2024Member
4.125% Senior Notes, Series B due 2024    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 197,083us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_SeniorNotesSeriesBDue2024Member		 215,128us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_SeniorNotesSeriesBDue2024Member
Interest rate (as a percent) 4.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_SeniorNotesSeriesBDue2024Member		 4.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_SeniorNotesSeriesBDue2024Member
3.500% Senior Notes due 2025    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 600,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_VentasRealtySeniorNotesdue2025Member		  
Interest rate (as a percent) 3.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_VentasRealtySeniorNotesdue2025Member		  
6.90% Senior Notes due 2037    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 52,400us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_SixPointNineZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2037Member		 52,400us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_SixPointNineZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2037Member
Interest rate (as a percent) 6.90%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_SixPointNineZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2037Member		 6.90%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_SixPointNineZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2037Member
6.59% Senior Notes due 2038    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 22,973us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_SixPointFiveNinePercentSeniorNotesDue2038Member		 22,973us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_SixPointFiveNinePercentSeniorNotesDue2038Member
Interest rate (as a percent) 6.59%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_SixPointFiveNinePercentSeniorNotesDue2038Member		 6.59%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_SixPointFiveNinePercentSeniorNotesDue2038Member
5.45% Senior Notes due 2043    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 258,750us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_FivePointFourFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2043Member		 258,750us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_FivePointFourFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2043Member
Interest rate (as a percent) 5.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_FivePointFourFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2043Member		 5.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_FivePointFourFivePercentSeniorNotesDue2043Member
5.70% Senior Notes due 2043    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 300,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_FivePointSevenZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2043Member		 300,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_FivePointSevenZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2043Member
Interest rate (as a percent) 5.70%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_FivePointSevenZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2043Member		 5.70%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_FivePointSevenZeroPercentSeniorNotesDue2043Member
4.375% Senior Notes due 2045    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 300,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_VentasRealtySeniorNotesdue2045Member		  
Interest rate (as a percent) 4.375%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_VentasRealtySeniorNotesdue2045Member		  
Mortgage loans and other    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding 2,423,221us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_MortgageLoansAndOtherMember		 2,284,763us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_MortgageLoansAndOtherMember
Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale    
Debt instruments    
Principal amount outstanding $ 33,400us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_MortgageLoansHeldforSaleMember		 $ 43,500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= vtr_MortgageLoansHeldforSaleMember