v2.4.0.8

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information |  |  |  |
Resident fees and services | $ 341,594 | $ 303,437 | $ 680,764 | $ 588,630
Capital expenditures |  |  |  |
Total capital expenditures | 266,807 | 941,984 | 364,365 | 983,777
Triple-Net Leased Properties |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information |  |  |  |
Resident fees and services |  |  | 0 | 0
Capital expenditures |  |  |  |
Total capital expenditures | 31,824 | 9,017 | 45,004 | 13,880
Senior Living Operations |  |  |  |
Capital expenditures |  |  |  |
Total capital expenditures | 224,921 | 331,665 | 245,089 | 348,831
MOB Operations |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information |  |  |  |
Resident fees and services |  |  | 0 | 0
Capital expenditures |  |  |  |
Total capital expenditures | $ 10,062 | $ 601,302 | $ 74,272 | $ 621,066

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Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 131 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph b -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 Other real estate revenue not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(e)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherRealEstateRevenue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Details
Name: | vtr_SegmentReportingInformationExpendituresForAdditionsToLongLivedAssetsAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration