v2.3.0.15

Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets
Total assets	$ 17,205,770		$ 17,205,770		$ 5,758,021
Percentage of total assets	100.00%		100.00%		100.00%
Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	112,878	222,407	396,578	252,400
Triple-Net Leased Properties [Member]
Assets
Total assets	8,652,706		8,652,706		2,474,612
Percentage of total assets	50.30%		50.30%		43.00%
Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	68,604	211	69,831	12,303
Senior Living Operations [Member]
Assets
Total assets	5,807,192		5,807,192		2,297,041
Percentage of total assets	33.70%		33.70%		39.90%
Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	20,842	3,889	296,446	6,782
MOB Operations [Member]
Assets
Total assets	2,367,480		2,367,480		748,945
Percentage of total assets	13.80%		13.80%		13.00%
Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	23,432	218,307	30,301	233,315
All Other [Member]
Assets
Total assets	$ 378,392		$ 378,392		$ 237,423
Percentage of total assets	2.20%		2.20%		4.10%

X

- Definition

Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets other than financial instruments, long-term customer relationships of a financial institution, mortgage and other servicing rights, deferred policy acquisition costs, and deferred tax assets of the reportable segment; if the amount: (a) is included in the determination of segment assets reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) is otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in the determination of segment assets.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 131

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 7

-Section 03

-Paragraph 12



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

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

-Section S99

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Publisher FASB

-Paragraph 1



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts (CON)

-Number 6

-Paragraph 25

-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 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 18

-Article 5



Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.18)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Assets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

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

X

- Definition

Percentage of consolidated assets.

+ Details

Name:	vtr_PercentageOfConsolidatedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	vtr
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Segment Reporting Information Expenditures For Additions To Long Lived Assets.

+ Details

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