v2.4.0.8

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS (Details) | 6 Months Ended
--- | ---
Jun. 30, 2013 property
Real estate properties |
Number of real estate properties | 1,400
Number of states | 46
Number of Canadian provinces | 2
Number of properties leased | 889
Seniors housing communities |
Real estate properties |
Number of independent third party managed properties | 229
Development Projects |
Real estate properties |
Number of real estate properties | 4
Kindred |
Real estate properties |
Number of properties leased | 143
Brookdale Senior Living |
Real estate properties |
Number of properties leased | 148
Number of properties included in investments in unconsolidated entities | (6)
Seniors Housing Communities [Member] | Senior Living Operations | Dispositions 2013 [Member] |
Real estate properties |
Number of Real Estate Properties Sold | 1

X
- Definition The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The number of states the entity operates in as of the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NumberOfStatesInWhichEntityOperates
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition The number of properties that are managed by the independent third party. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vtr_NumberOfIndependentThirdPartyManagedProperties
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of Properties Included in Investments in Unconsolidated Entities + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vtr_NumberOfPropertiesIncludedInInvestmentsInUnconsolidatedEntities
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The number of properties owned that are leased to unaffiliated tenants under triple-net lease terms. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vtr_NumberOfPropertiesLeasedUnderTripleNetLeases
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The number of provinces in which the entity operates as of the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vtr_NumberOfProvincesInWhichEntityOperates
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The number of properties sold by the entity. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vtr_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesSold
Namespace Prefix: | vtr_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration