Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow from the acquisition of a piece of land, anything permanently fixed to it, including buildings, structures on it and so forth; includes real estate intended to generate income for the owner; excludes real estate acquired for use by the owner.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

Properties Acquired Previously Owned by Equity Method Investee

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	vtr_PropertyAcquisitionAxis=vtr_A2017AcquisitionsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=vtr_OfficeoperationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=vtr_SeniorLivingOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

2017 Acquisitions (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
2017 Acquisitions (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) property	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) property
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	1,200
Payments to acquire real estate \| $	$ 958,125	$ 265,907	$ 664,684
Triple Net Leased Properties
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties	412
2017 Acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to acquire real estate \| $			$ 691,300
2017 Acquisitions \| Office Operations
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties			4
2017 Acquisitions \| Triple Net Leased Properties
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties			15
Properties acquired previously owned by equity method investee			6
2017 Acquisitions \| Research and Innovation Center \| Office Operations
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties			3
2017 Acquisitions \| Medical Office Buildings \| Office Operations
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties			1
2017 Acquisitions \| Seniors Housing Communities \| Senior Living Operations
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties			3