Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Treasury Stock	Cumulative Net Income	Cumulative Dividends	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interests
Balances at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 16,881,572	$ 418,691	$ 20,823,145	$ (104,490)	$ 8,327,598	$ (13,343,721)	$ (148,504)	$ 908,853
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)	372,933				336,138			36,795
Other comprehensive income (loss)	26,822						27,188	(366)
Total comprehensive income	399,755
Net change in noncontrolling interests	(8,447)		(23,743)					15,296
Amounts related to stock incentive plans, net of forfeitures	15,073	246	18,087	(3,260)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	2,345,820	29,668	2,316,152
Dividends paid:
Common stock dividends	(1,037,194)					(1,037,194)
Balances at end of period at Dec. 31, 2021	18,596,579	448,605	23,133,641	(107,750)	8,663,736	(14,380,915)	(121,316)	960,578
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)	177,365				141,214			36,151
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(22,552)						1,609	(24,161)
Total comprehensive income	154,813
Net change in noncontrolling interests	(299,730)		(88,756)					(210,974)
Adjustment to members' interest from change in ownership in Welltower OP	0		46,649					(46,649)
Redemption of OP Units and DownREIT Units	1,263	5	1,464					(206)
Amounts related to stock incentive plans, net of forfeitures	23,981	214	27,018	(3,251)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	3,665,829	43,095	3,622,734
Dividends paid:
Common stock dividends	(1,133,182)					(1,133,182)
Balances at end of period at Dec. 31, 2022	21,009,553	491,919	26,742,750	(111,001)	8,804,950	(15,514,097)	(119,707)	714,739
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)	357,913				340,094			17,819
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(21,928)						(30,767)	8,839
Total comprehensive income	335,985
Net change in noncontrolling interests	(67,124)		25,571				(12,686)	(80,009)
Adjustment to members' interest from change in ownership in Welltower OP	0		(18,399)					18,399
Redemption of OP Units and DownREIT Units	17,356	336	20,061					(3,041)
Amounts related to stock incentive plans, net of forfeitures	37,659	210	38,026	(577)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	6,007,369	73,429	5,933,940
Dividends paid:
Common stock dividends	(1,259,676)					(1,259,676)
Balances at end of period at Dec. 31, 2023	$ 26,081,122	$ 565,894	$ 32,741,949	$ (111,578)	$ 9,145,044	$ (16,773,773)	$ (163,160)	$ 676,746