Condensed Consolidating Information (Narrative) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2016
Ventas Realty
Condensed financial statements, captions
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent	100.00%
Ventas Capital Corporation
Condensed financial statements, captions
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent	100.00%
Ventas Subsidiaries
Condensed financial statements, captions
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent	100.00%
Nationwide Health Properties, LLC
Condensed financial statements, captions
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent	100.00%