v2.3.0.15

Segment Information (Details Textuals) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 Segment Property Year
Segment Information (Textuals) [Abstract]
Intersegment sales	$ 0
Number of reportable business segments	3

X

- Definition

Amount of revenue from transactions with other operating segments of the same entity.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 131

-Paragraph 27

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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

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

X

- Definition

Number of reportable business segments.

+ Details

Name:	vtr_NumberOfReportableBusinessSegments
Namespace Prefix:	vtr
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Segment information.

+ Details

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