v2.3.0.15

Litigation (Details) (USD $) In Millions	1 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Aug. 23, 2011	Dec. 11, 2009
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrual for contingent fees for outside legal counsel			$ 5.75
Litigation (Textuals) [Abstract]
Compensatory damages, awarded in Litigation related to the Sunrise REIT Acquisition		101.6
Security by HCP, in letter of credit				102.8
Net proceeds from compensatory damages award	85
Donation to ventas charitable foundation			3
HCP Inc [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Payment for Judgment Plus costs and interest	$ 102.8

X

- Definition

This element represents the gross amount awarded, to be received by, or to be remitted to the entity in settlement of litigation occurring during the period.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationSettlementGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Cash received for the settlement of litigation during the current period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 27

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 25

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3536-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromLegalSettlements
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Accrual for contingent fees for outside legal counsel.

+ Details

Name:	vtr_AccrualForContingentFeesForOutsideLegalCounsel
Namespace Prefix:	vtr
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Contribution to charitable organization.

+ Details

Name:	vtr_ContributionToCharitableOrganization
Namespace Prefix:	vtr
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Letter of credit in our favor to serve as security.

+ Details

Name:	vtr_LetterOfCreditInOurFavorToServeAsSecurity
Namespace Prefix:	vtr
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Letter Of Credit To Secure Jury Verdict.

+ Details

Name:	vtr_LetterOfCreditToSecureJuryVerdict
Namespace Prefix:	vtr
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Litigation.

+ Details

Name:	vtr_LitigationTextualsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	vtr
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration