Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	May 05, 2020
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-10989
Entity Registrant Name	Ventas, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	61-1055020
Entity Address, Address Line One	353 N. Clark Street
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 3300
Entity Address, City or Town	Chicago
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Country	US
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60654
City Area Code	877
Local Phone Number	483-6827
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Trading Symbol	VTR
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.25 par value
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		373,074,865
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000740260
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false