CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION (unaudited) (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	$ 111,821	$ 101,984	$ 275,649	$ 170,764	$ 363,261
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	2,838	(7,293)	3,180	(4,234)
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	(509)	(1,285)	(1,220)	(2,964)
Other	(107)	(397)	(396)	(433)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	2,222	(8,975)	1,564	(7,631)	(4,806)
Comprehensive income	114,043	93,009	277,213	163,133
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(61)	(901)	(884)	(781)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	114,104	93,910	278,097	163,914
Ventas, Inc.
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	111,882	102,885	276,533	171,545
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	(509)	(1,285)	(1,220)	(2,964)
Other	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(509)	(1,285)	(1,220)	(2,964)
Comprehensive income	111,373	101,600	275,313	168,581
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	111,373	101,600	275,313	168,581
Ventas Issuers
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	31,844	25,932	53,733	110,312
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	0	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	31,844	25,932	53,733	110,312
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	31,844	25,932	53,733	110,312
Ventas Subsidiaries
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	83,732	25,717	174,019	50,556
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	2,838	(7,293)	3,180	(4,234)
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	0	0	0	0
Other	(107)	(397)	(396)	(433)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	2,731	(7,690)	2,784	(4,667)
Comprehensive income	86,463	18,027	176,803	45,889
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(61)	(901)	(884)	(781)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	86,524	18,928	177,687	46,670
Consolidated Eliminations
Condensed financial statements, captions
Net income	(115,637)	(52,550)	(228,636)	(161,649)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gain on marketable debt securities	0	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	(115,637)	(52,550)	(228,636)	(161,649)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ (115,637)	$ (52,550)	$ (228,636)	$ (161,649)