Condensed Consolidating Information (Comprehensive Income Statement) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 651,490	$ 419,222	$ 477,001
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation	(52,266)	(14,792)	(17,153)
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	(310)	(5,236)	7,001
Other	2,607	(658)	3,614
Total other comprehensive loss	(49,969)	(20,686)	(6,538)
Comprehensive income	601,521	398,536	470,463
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,259	1,379	1,234
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	599,262	397,157	469,229
Consolidated Elimination
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	(499,292)	(457,564)	(480,466)
Other comprehensive loss:
Comprehensive income	(499,292)	(457,564)	(480,466)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	(499,292)	(457,564)	(480,466)
Ventas, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	649,231	417,843	475,767
Other comprehensive loss:
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	(310)	(5,236)	7,001
Total other comprehensive loss	(310)	(5,236)	7,001
Comprehensive income	648,921	412,607	482,768
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	648,921	412,607	482,768
Ventas Realty
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	(122,372)	(64,859)	19,826
Other comprehensive loss:
Comprehensive income	(122,372)	(64,859)	19,826
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	(122,372)	(64,859)	19,826
Ventas Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	623,923	523,802	461,874
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation	(52,266)	(14,792)	(17,153)
Other	2,607	(658)	3,614
Total other comprehensive loss	(49,659)	(15,450)	(13,539)
Comprehensive income	574,264	508,352	448,335
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,259	1,379	1,234
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ 572,005	$ 506,973	$ 447,101