CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION (Details 4) (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 244,961	$ 130,769
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(40,312)	31,681
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under revolving credit facility	(382,398)	(32,000)
Proceeds from debt	667,330	14,630
Repayment of debt	(298,801)	(331,069)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(1,793)	(314)
Issuance of common stock, net	0	299,926
Cash distribution to common stockholders	(179,253)	(93,738)
Cash distribution to redeemable OP unitholders	(1,112)	0
Purchases of redeemable OP units	(233)	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(1,592)	(349)
Other	565	458
Net cash used in financing activities	(197,287)	(142,456)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	7,362	19,994
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	55	93
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	45,807	21,812
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	53,224	41,899
Ventas, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	(2,966)	(3,036)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	8,347	19,880
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in intercompany debt	219,912	(801)
Issuance of common stock, net		299,926
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates	(37,550)	(200,567)
Cash distribution to common stockholders	(179,253)	(93,738)
Cash distribution to redeemable OP unitholders	(1,112)	0
Purchases of redeemable OP units	(233)	0
Other	565	458
Net cash used in financing activities	2,329	5,278
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	7,710	22,122
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,335	1,083
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	10,045	23,205
Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantors
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	55,020	45,924
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(13,674)	16,466
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under revolving credit facility	(2,398)
Repayment of debt	(1,767)	(327,947)
Net change in intercompany debt	(49,545)	256,817
Payment of deferred financing costs		(1)
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates	12,363	(4,222)
Net cash used in financing activities	(41,347)	(75,353)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(1)	(12,963)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	7,820	8,263
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	7,819	(4,700)
Ventas Issuers
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	70,263	73,068
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(15,038)	(143)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under revolving credit facility	(380,000)	(32,000)
Proceeds from debt	591,384	0
Repayment of debt	(206,500)	0
Net change in intercompany debt	(22,107)	(260,191)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(1,473)
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates	(36,584)	219,173
Net cash used in financing activities	(55,280)	(73,018)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(55)	(93)
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	55	93
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	122,644	14,813
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(19,947)	(4,522)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from debt	75,946	14,630
Repayment of debt	(90,534)	(3,122)
Net change in intercompany debt	(148,260)	4,175
Payment of deferred financing costs	(320)	(313)
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates	61,771	(14,384)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(1,592)	(349)
Net cash used in financing activities	(102,989)	637
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(292)	10,928
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	35,652	12,466
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 35,360	$ 23,394