CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION (unaudited) (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	$ 120,807		$ 121,274		$ 477,186
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(10,872)		(2,740)
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	1,349		1,306
Other	759		239
Other comprehensive loss	(8,764)		(1,195)		(6,538)
Comprehensive income	112,043		120,079
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	365		227
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	111,678		119,852
Ventas, Inc.
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	120,442		121,047
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	1,349		1,306
Other comprehensive loss	1,349		1,306
Comprehensive income	121,791		122,353
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0		0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	121,791		122,353
Ventas Realty
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	(7,790)	[1]	11,639	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Comprehensive income	(7,790)	[1]	11,639	[1]
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0		0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	(7,790)	[1]	11,639	[1]
Ventas Subsidiaries
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	138,069		114,789
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(10,872)		(2,740)
Other	759		239
Other comprehensive loss	(10,113)		(2,501)
Comprehensive income	127,956		112,288
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	365		227
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	127,591		112,061
Consolidated Eliminations
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	(129,914)		(126,201)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Comprehensive income	(129,914)		(126,201)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0		0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$ (129,914)		$ (126,201)

[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.