CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION (Unaudited) - Statement of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	$ 199,148	$ 149,034	$ 651,490
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	4,082	(10,668)
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	(123)	181
Other	(82)	(1,880)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	3,877	(12,367)	$ (49,969)
Comprehensive income	203,025	136,667
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,021	54
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	202,004	136,613
Consolidated Elimination
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	(136,681)	(108,420)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	0	0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	0	0
Other	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Comprehensive income	(136,681)	(108,420)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	(136,681)	(108,420)
Ventas, Inc.
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	198,127	148,980
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	0	0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	(123)	181
Other	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(123)	181
Comprehensive income	198,004	149,161
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	198,004	149,161
Ventas Realty
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	(30,822)	(34,248)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	0	0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	0	0
Other	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Comprehensive income	(30,822)	(34,248)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	(30,822)	(34,248)
Ventas Subsidiaries
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	168,524	142,722
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	4,082	(10,668)
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	0	0
Other	(82)	(1,880)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	4,000	(12,548)
Comprehensive income	172,524	130,174
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,021	54
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ 171,503	$ 130,120