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	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning 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 stockholders' equity
Net income	477,186	475,767				475,767		1,419
Other comprehensive 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	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)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	8,754,397	8,680,184	74,656	10,119,306	13,121	(1,526,388)	(511)	74,213
Increase (decrease) in stockholders' equity
Net income	120,807	120,442				120,442		365
Other comprehensive loss	(8,764)	(8,764)			(8,764)
Acquisition-related activity	2,216,275	2,216,275	7,103	2,209,172
Net change in noncontrolling interest	(1,822)							(1,822)
Dividends to common stockholders	(254,910)	(254,910)				(254,910)
Issuance of common stock	285,327	285,327	938	284,389
Issuance of common stock for stock plans	7,163	7,163	21	3,252			3,890
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interest	1,105	787		787				318
Adjust redeemable OP unitholder interests to current fair value	(4,525)	(4,525)		(4,525)
Purchase of OP units	(159)	(159)		(159)
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	(1,930)	(1,930)		3,834			(5,764)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$ 11,112,964	$ 11,039,890	$ 82,718	$ 12,616,056	$ 4,357	$ (1,660,856)	$ (2,385)	$ 73,074