ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Schedule of VIEs (Details) - Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary, Aggregated Disclosure - USD ($) $ in Thousands |
Jun. 30, 2017 |
Dec. 31, 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] | ||
| Total Assets | $ 949,241 | $ 981,752 |
| Total Liabilities | 222,644 | 234,109 |
| NHP/PMB L.P. | ||
| Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] | ||
| Total Assets | 626,227 | 639,763 |
| Total Liabilities | 194,369 | 199,674 |
| Ventas Realty Capital Healthcare Trust Operating Partnership, L.P. | ||
| Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] | ||
| Total Assets | 0 | 2,143,139 |
| Total Liabilities | 0 | 162,426 |
| Other identified VIEs | ||
| Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] | ||
| Total Assets | 1,945,402 | 1,882,336 |
| Total Liabilities | $ 332,971 | $ 354,034 |