CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock Par Value	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Treasury Stock	Total Ventas Stockholders’ Equity	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 8,754,397	$ 74,656	$ 10,119,306	$ 13,121	$ (1,526,388)	$ (511)	$ 8,680,184	$ 74,213
Increase (decrease) in stockholders' equity
Net income	419,222				417,843		417,843	1,379
Other comprehensive loss	(20,686)			(20,686)			(20,686)
Acquisition-related activity	2,217,158	7,103	2,209,202				2,216,305	853
Impact of CCP Spin-Off	(1,252,073)		(1,247,356)				(1,247,356)	(4,717)
Net change in noncontrolling interest	(12,530)							(12,530)
Dividends to common stockholders	(1,003,413)				(1,003,413)		(1,003,413)
Issuance of common stock	491,024	1,797	489,227				491,024
Issuance of common stock for stock plans	12,036	23	6,068			5,945	12,036
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interest	1,528		(374)				(374)	1,902
Adjust redeemable OP unitholder interests to current fair value	7,831		7,831				7,831
Purchase of OP units	1,719		1,719				1,719
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	9,214		17,215			(8,001)	9,214
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	9,625,427	83,579	11,602,838	(7,565)	(2,111,958)	(2,567)	9,564,327	61,100
Increase (decrease) in stockholders' equity
Net income	292,474				292,142		292,142	332
Other comprehensive loss	(36,630)			(36,630)			(36,630)
Impact of CCP Spin-Off	399		399				399
Net change in noncontrolling interest	(2,795)		(1,170)				(1,170)	(1,625)
Dividends to common stockholders	(493,471)				(493,471)		(493,471)
Issuance of common stock	377,739	1,529	376,210				377,739
Issuance of common stock for stock plans	10,682	31	8,700			1,951	10,682
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interest	(191)		(445)				(445)	254
Adjust redeemable OP unitholder interests to current fair value	(47,403)		(47,403)				(47,403)
Purchase of OP units	22,291	80	21,191			1,020	22,291
Grant of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	1,254	27	1,631			(404)	1,254
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2016	$ 9,749,776	$ 85,246	$ 11,961,951	$ (44,195)	$ (2,313,287)	$ 0	$ 9,689,715	$ 60,061