v2.4.0.6

Borrowing Arrangements (Details) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2011 property | Dec. 31, 2010 property | Dec. 31, 2011 Unsecured revolving credit facilities | Dec. 31, 2010 Unsecured revolving credit facilities | Dec. 31, 2011 3 7/8 % Convertible Senior Notes due 2011 upon maturity | Nov. 30, 2011 3 7/8 % Convertible Senior Notes due 2011 upon maturity | Nov. 15, 2011 3 7/8 % Convertible Senior Notes due 2011 upon maturity | Dec. 31, 2010 3 7/8 % Convertible Senior Notes due 2011 upon maturity | Mar. 31, 2010 3 7/8 % Convertible Senior Notes due 2011 upon maturity | Dec. 31, 2011 9% Senior Notes due 2012 | Dec. 31, 2010 9% Senior Notes due 2012 | Dec. 31, 2009 9% Senior Notes due 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2012 | Dec. 31, 2010 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 Unsecured term loan due 2013 | Dec. 31, 2010 Unsecured term loan due 2013 | Dec. 31, 2011 6.25% Senior Notes due 2013 | Dec. 31, 2010 6.25% Senior Notes due 2013 | Dec. 31, 2011 Unsecured term loan due 2015 | Dec. 31, 2010 Unsecured term loan due 2015 | Dec. 31, 2011 3.125% Senior Notes due 2015 | Dec. 31, 2010 3.125% Senior Notes due 2015 | Nov. 30, 2010 3.125% Senior Notes due 2015 | Dec. 31, 2011 6% Senior Notes due 2015 | Dec. 31, 2010 6% Senior Notes due 2015 | Dec. 31, 2011 6 1/2% Senior Notes due 2016 | Jul. 31, 2011 6 1/2% Senior Notes due 2016 | Dec. 31, 2010 6 1/2% Senior Notes due 2016 | Dec. 31, 2011 Unsecured term loan due 2017 | Dec. 31, 2010 Unsecured term loan due 2017 | Dec. 31, 2011 6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2017 | Dec. 31, 2010 6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2017 | May 31, 2010 6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2017 | Dec. 31, 2009 6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2017 | Dec. 31, 2011 4.750% Senior Notes due 2021 | May 31, 2011 4.750% Senior Notes due 2021 | Dec. 31, 2010 4.750% Senior Notes due 2021 | Dec. 31, 2011 6.90% Senior Notes due 2037 | Dec. 31, 2010 6.90% Senior Notes due 2037 | Dec. 31, 2011 6.59% Senior Notes due 2038 | Dec. 31, 2010 6.59% Senior Notes due 2038 | Dec. 31, 2011 Mortgage loans and other | Dec. 31, 2010 Mortgage loans and other
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Debt instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total | $ 6,180,443,000 | $ 2,926,954,000 | $ 455,578,000 | $ 40,000,000 | $ 0 | $ 230,000,000 |  | $ 230,000,000 |  | $ 82,433,000 | $ 82,433,000 |  | $ 72,950,000 | $ 0 | $ 200,000,000 | $ 200,000,000 | $ 269,850,000 | $ 0 | $ 126,875,000 | $ 0 | $ 400,000,000 | $ 400,000,000 |  | $ 234,420,000 | $ 0 | $ 200,000,000 | $ 200,000,000 | $ 400,000,000 | $ 375,000,000 | $ 0 | $ 225,000,000 | $ 225,000,000 |  |  | $ 700,000,000 |  | $ 0 | $ 52,400,000 | $ 0 | $ 22,973,000 | $ 0 | $ 2,762,964,000 | $ 1,349,521,000
Interest rate (as a percent) |  |  |  |  | 3.875% | 3.875% | 3.875% | 3.875% | 3.875% | 9.00% | 9.00% | 9.00% | 8.25% | 8.25% |  |  | 6.25% | 6.25% |  |  | 3.125% | 3.125% | 3.125% | 6.00% | 6.00% | 6.50% | 6.50% | 6.50% |  |  | 6.75% | 6.75% | 6.75% | 6.75% | 4.75% | 4.75% | 4.75% | 6.90% | 6.90% | 6.59% | 6.59% |  |
Capital lease obligations | 143,006,000 | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unamortized fair value adjustment | 144,923,000 | 11,790,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unamortized commission fees and discounts | (39,256,000) | (38,700,000) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior notes payable and other debt | 6,429,116,000 | 2,900,044,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Joint venture partners' share of total debt | 46,600,000 | 4,800,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of properties owned through consolidated joint ventures with mortgage debt | 8 | 3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt related to investments in unconsolidated entities | $ 131,500,000 | $ 45,900,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

X
- Definition Amount equal to the present value (the principal) at the beginning of the lease term of minimum lease payments during the lease term (excluding that portion of the payments representing executory costs such as insurance, maintenance, and taxes to be paid by the lessor, together with any profit thereon) net of payments or other amounts applied to the principal through the balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 7 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6455398&loc=d3e45280-112737 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligations
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Including current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date before deducting unamortized discount or premiums (if any). May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number APB14-1 -Paragraph 31 -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. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 20 -Article 5 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 9 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Including current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date. May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 7 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 9 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 20, 22 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Represents the unamortized fair value adjustment of the debt instrument. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vtr_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedFairValueAdjustment
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Debt related to investments in unconsolidated entities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vtr_DebtRelatedToInvestmentsInUnconsolidatedEntities
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Percentage of line of credit facility for negotiated rate loans. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vtr_JointVenturePartnersShareOfDebt
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of properties owned through consolidated joint ventures with mortgage debt. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vtr_NumberOfPropertiesOwnedThroughConsolidatedJointVenturesWithMortgageDebt
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Represents unamortized commission fees and discounts associated with the debt instrument. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vtr_UnamortizedCommissionFeesAndDiscounts
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant