CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION (unaudited) (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$ 460,808	$ 186,300
Net cash used in investing activities	(975,051)	(744,606)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under revolving credit facility	(88,654)	99,500
Proceeds from debt	1,269,315	704,111
Repayment of debt	(645,722)	(337,427)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(2,980)	(1,363)
Issuance of common stock, net	342,469	299,926
Cash distribution to common stockholders	(361,957)	(201,949)
Cash distribution to redeemable OP unitholders	(2,241)	0
Purchases of redeemable OP units	(611)	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(2,907)	(616)
Other	14,509	913
Net cash provided by financing activities	521,221	563,095
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	6,978	4,789
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	18	101
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	45,807	21,812	41,899
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	52,803	26,702	41,899
Ventas, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(19,090)	(56,351)
Net cash used in investing activities	(906,694)	(322,302)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in intercompany debt	935,981	188,002
Issuance of common stock, net	342,469	299,926
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates	(1,984)	7,932
Cash distribution to common stockholders	(361,957)	(201,949)
Cash distribution to redeemable OP unitholders	(2,241)	0
Purchases of redeemable OP units	(611)	0
Other	14,509	913
Net cash provided by financing activities	926,166	294,824
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	382	(83,829)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,335	1,083
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	2,717	(82,746)
Ventas Issuers
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	103,802	107,843
Net cash used in investing activities	(17)	(500,879)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under revolving credit facility	(84,500)	99,500
Proceeds from debt	1,184,568	689,374
Repayment of debt	(521,527)	0
Net change in intercompany debt	(588,599)	(407,836)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(2,600)	(985)
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates	(91,145)	12,882
Net cash provided by financing activities	(103,803)	392,935
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(18)	(101)
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	18	101
Ventas Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	376,096	134,808
Net cash used in investing activities	(68,340)	78,575
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in borrowings under revolving credit facility	(4,154)	0
Proceeds from debt	84,747	14,737
Repayment of debt	(124,195)	(337,427)
Net change in intercompany debt	(347,382)	219,834
Payment of deferred financing costs	(380)	(378)
Cash distribution (to) from affiliates	93,129	(20,814)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(2,907)	(616)
Net cash provided by financing activities	(301,142)	(124,664)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	6,614	88,719
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	43,472	20,729
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 50,086	$ 109,448