CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION (unaudited) (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$ 344,169		$ 284,421
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(908,530)		(218,350)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under revolving credit facility	(452,897)		181,754
Proceeds from debt	1,092,833		0
Repayment of debt	(24,647)		(67,773)
Payments to Acquire Additional Interest in Subsidiaries	(2,660)		0
Payment of deferred financing costs	(14,435)		(167)
Issuance of common stock, net	285,327
Cash distribution to common stockholders	(254,910)		(213,473)
Cash distribution to redeemable OP unitholders	(2,365)		(1,402)
Purchases of redeemable OP units	(569)		0
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(1,822)		(2,237)
Other	5,690		1,641
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	629,545		(101,657)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	65,184		(35,586)
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	(307)		561
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	55,348		94,816
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	120,225		59,791
Ventas, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(26,412)		(46,025)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(906,198)		(155,716)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in intercompany debt	1,249,176		227,406
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates	(289,568)		179,724
Issuance of common stock, net	285,327
Cash distribution to common stockholders	(254,910)		(213,473)
Cash distribution to redeemable OP unitholders			(1,402)
Other	5,690		1,636
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	995,715		193,891
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	63,105		(7,850)
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	(10,160)		593
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	24,857		28,169
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	77,802		20,912
Ventas Realty
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	53,071	[1]	24,067	[1]
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(6,274)	[1]	(979)	[1]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under revolving credit facility	(319,000)	[1]	182,969	[1]
Proceeds from debt	896,478
Net change in intercompany debt	(608,551)	[1]	(202,703)	[1]
Payment of deferred financing costs	(12,507)	[1]	(154)	[1]
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates	(3,217)	[1]	(2,618)	[1]
Issuance of common stock, net	0
Other			5	[1]
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(46,797)	[1]	(22,501)	[1]
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents			587	[1]
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents			(587)	[1]
Ventas Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	317,510		306,379
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	3,942		(61,655)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under revolving credit facility	(133,897)		(1,215)
Proceeds from debt	196,355
Repayment of debt	(24,647)		(67,773)
Net change in intercompany debt	(640,625)		(24,703)
Payments to Acquire Additional Interest in Subsidiaries	(2,660)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(1,928)		(13)
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates	292,785		(177,106)
Issuance of common stock, net	0
Cash distribution to redeemable OP unitholders	(2,365)
Purchases of redeemable OP units	(569)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(1,822)		(2,237)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(319,373)		(273,047)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	2,079		(28,323)
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	9,853		555
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	30,491		66,647
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	42,423		38,879
Consolidated Eliminations
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of common stock, net	$ 0

[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.