CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION (unaudited) (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	$ 73,736	$ 19,734	$ 163,828	$ 68,780	$ 363,261
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(1,607)	560	342	3,059	0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	(403)	(422)	(711)	(1,679)	0
Other	(512)	(23)	(289)	(36)	0
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(2,522)	115	(658)	1,344	(4,806)
Comprehensive income	71,214	19,849	163,170	70,124	0
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to non controlling interest	(289)	58	(823)	120	0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	71,503	19,791	163,993	70,004	0
Ventas, Inc.
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	74,025	19,676	164,651	68,660
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	(403)	(422)	(711)	(1,679)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(403)	(422)	(711)	(1,679)
Comprehensive income	73,622	19,254	163,940	66,981
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	73,622	19,254	163,940	66,981
Ventas Issuers
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	17,154	42,572	21,889	84,381
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Comprehensive income	17,154	42,572	21,889	84,381
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	17,154	42,572	21,889	84,381
Ventas Subsidiaries
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	34,331	19,052	90,285	24,838
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(1,607)	560	342	3,059
Other	(512)	(23)	(289)	(36)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(2,119)	537	53	3,023
Comprehensive income	32,212	19,589	90,338	27,861
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to non controlling interest	(289)	58	(823)	120
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	32,501	19,531	91,161	27,741
Consolidated Eliminations
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	(51,774)	(61,566)	(112,997)	(109,099)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Comprehensive income	(51,774)	(61,566)	(112,997)	(109,099)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ (51,774)	$ (61,566)	$ (112,997)	$ (109,099)