Cover - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Feb. 18, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Period End Date	Dec. 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, Postal Zip Code	60654
City Area Code	877
Local Phone Number	483-6827
Trading Symbol	VTR
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.25 par value
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 11.7
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		374,659,068
Entity Central Index Key	0000740260
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false