Name:	us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

For an entity that discloses a concentration risk in relation to quantitative amount, which serves as the "benchmark" (or denominator) in the equation, this concept represents the concentration percentage derived from the division.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 275
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 18
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393423&loc=d3e6351-108592

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 20
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109250915&loc=d3e13531-108611

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 21
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109250915&loc=d3e13537-108611

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 275
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 20
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393423&loc=d3e6404-108592

Name:	us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Term of lessor's operating lease renewal, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77888428&loc=SL77919359-209981

Name:	us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Amount of income (expense) included in net income that results in no cash inflow (outflow), classified as other.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3602-108585

Name:	us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Cash received for fees during the current period. This element excludes cash proceeds from license fees.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 25
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3536-108585

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromFeesReceived
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Master leases

No definition available.

Name:	vtr_Masterleases
Namespace Prefix:	vtr_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The number of properties sold by the entity.

No definition available.

Name:	vtr_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesSold
Namespace Prefix:	vtr_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Options to Extend

No definition available.

Name:	vtr_OptionstoExtend
Namespace Prefix:	vtr_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=vtr_BrookdaleSeniorLivingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=vtr_ArdentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=vtr_KindredMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=vtr_SkilledNursingFacilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis=us-gaap_RevenueFromRightsConcentrationRiskMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis=vtr_RevenuesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: