CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION (Unaudited) - Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	$ 152,968	$ 143,440	$ 352,116	$ 292,474	$ 651,490
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	8,286	(22,715)	12,368	(33,383)
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	(62)	69	(185)	250
Other	398	(1,617)	316	(3,497)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	8,622	(24,263)	12,499	(36,630)	$ (49,969)
Comprehensive income	161,590	119,177	364,615	255,844
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,137	278	2,158	332
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	160,453	118,899	362,457	255,512
Consolidated Elimination
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	(127,791)	(123,740)	(264,475)	(232,159)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	0	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	(127,791)	(123,740)	(264,475)	(232,159)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	(127,791)	(123,740)	(264,475)	(232,159)
Ventas, Inc.
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	151,831	143,162	349,958	292,142
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	(62)	69	(185)	250
Other	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(62)	69	(185)	250
Comprehensive income	151,769	143,231	349,773	292,392
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	151,769	143,231	349,773	292,392
Ventas Realty
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	(40,451)	(28,842)	(71,270)	(63,090)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	0	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	(40,451)	(28,842)	(71,270)	(63,090)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	(40,451)	(28,842)	(71,270)	(63,090)
Ventas Subsidiaries
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income (loss)	169,379	152,860	337,903	295,581
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	8,286	(22,715)	12,368	(33,383)
Change in unrealized gain on marketable securities	0	0	0	0
Other	398	(1,617)	316	(3,497)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	8,684	(24,332)	12,684	(36,880)
Comprehensive income	178,063	128,528	350,587	258,701
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,137	278	2,158	332
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ 176,926	$ 128,250	$ 348,429	$ 258,369