CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION (Unaudited) - Statement of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	$ 150,184	$ 23,117	$ 442,658	$ 294,162	$ 419,222
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(6,421)	(11,239)	(39,804)	(7,718)
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	(92)	0	158	(5,046)
Other	1,094	467	(2,403)	(949)
Total other comprehensive loss	(5,419)	(10,772)	(42,049)	(13,713)	$ (20,686)
Comprehensive income	144,765	12,345	400,609	280,449
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	732	265	1,064	1,047
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	144,033	12,080	399,545	279,402
Consolidated Elimination
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	(143,501)	(99,630)	(375,657)	(360,605)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	0		0	0
Other	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive loss	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	(143,501)	(99,630)	(375,657)	(360,605)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	(143,501)	(99,630)	(375,657)	(360,605)
Ventas, Inc.
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	149,452	22,852	441,594	293,115
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	(92)		158	(5,046)
Other	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive loss	(92)		158	(5,046)
Comprehensive income	149,360	22,852	441,752	288,069
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	149,360	22,852	441,752	288,069
Ventas Realty
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	(28,133)	(24,305)	(91,223)	(38,333)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	0		0	0
Other	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive loss	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	(28,133)	(24,305)	(91,223)	(38,333)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	(28,133)	(24,305)	(91,223)	(38,333)
Ventas Subsidiaries
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	172,366	124,200	467,944	399,985
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(6,421)	(11,239)	(39,804)	(7,718)
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	0		0	0
Other	1,094	467	(2,403)	(949)
Total other comprehensive loss	(5,327)	(10,772)	(42,207)	(8,667)
Comprehensive income	167,039	113,428	425,737	391,318
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	732	265	1,064	1,047
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ 166,307	$ 113,163	$ 424,673	$ 390,271