v3.2.0.727

PROPOSED SPIN-OFF OF POST-ACUTE/SKILLED NURSING FACILITY PORTFOLIO (Details) - property | Jun. 30, 2015 | Apr. 30, 2015
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Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |
Number of real estate properties | 1,600 |
SpinCo |  |
Business Acquisition [Line Items] |  |
Number of real estate properties |  | 355

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- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
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Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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

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- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=vtr_SpinCoMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |