Condensed Consolidating Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 Parent Company [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Parent Company [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantors [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantors [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Ventas Issuers [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Ventas Issuers [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Consolidated Eliminations [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Consolidated Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$ 443,901	$ 346,119	$ (3,510)	$ (864)	$ 107,282	$ 118,174	$ 180,935	$ 179,105	$ 159,194	$ 49,704
Net cash used in investing activities	(842,924)	(268,476)	(431,727)		89,296	(57,096)	(500,879)	(207,509)	386	(3,871)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under revolving credit facilities	434,000	233,004				102,004	434,000	131,000
Proceeds from debt	957,753	201,237					689,374	200,000	268,379	1,237
Repayment of debt	(895,043)	(331,378)			(328,691)	(144,739)	(206,500)	(178,139)	(359,852)	(8,500)
Net change in intercompany debt			981,494	48,748	84,585	(59,452)	(1,208,212)	10,704	142,133
Payment of deferred financing costs	(1,898)	(1,872)				(46)	(1,519)	(1,826)	(379)
Issuance of common stock, net	299,926		299,926
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates			(491,099)	199,706	56,767	50,104	612,898	(216,290)	(178,566)	(33,520)
Cash distribution to common stockholders	(354,932)	(251,921)	(354,932)	(251,921)
Cash distribution to redeemable OP unitholders	4,038								4,038
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	2	818							2	818
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(1,997)	(6,633)							(1,997)	(6,633)
Other	1,017	5,426	1,017	5,426
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	434,790	(151,319)	436,406	1,959	(187,339)	(52,129)	320,041	(54,551)	(134,318)	(46,598)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	35,767	(73,676)	1,169	1,095	9,239	8,949	97	(82,955)	25,262	(765)
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	(97)	69					(97)	69
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	21,812	107,397	1,083		15,659	7,864	0	82,886	5,070	16,647	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 57,482	$ 33,790	$ 2,252	$ 1,095	$ 24,898	$ 16,813	$ 0		$ 30,332	$ 15,882	$ 0	$ 0

Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits are not generally reported as cash and cash equivalents. Includes cash and cash equivalents associated with the entity's continuing operations. Excludes cash and cash equivalents associated with the disposal group (and discontinued operation).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Cash

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506951

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 7, 26

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Cash Equivalents

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016