Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Land	$ 58,869,000	$ 49,114,000
Buildings and improvements	636,994,000	487,396,000
Construction in progress	2,673,000	4,983,000
Real estate properties, gross	698,536,000	541,493,000
Less accumulated depreciation	(163,146,000)	(146,698,000)
Real estate properties, net	535,390,000	394,795,000
Mortgage notes receivable, net	84,250,000	78,672,000
Investment in preferred stock, at cost	38,132,000	38,132,000
Cash and cash equivalents	9,172,000	15,886,000
Marketable securities	12,884,000	11,364,000
Straight-line rent receivable	12,370,000	8,706,000
Deferred costs and other assets	12,172,000	2,627,000
Assets held for sale, net	1,611,000	29,381,000
Total Assets	705,981,000	579,563,000
Liabilities and Equity
Debt	203,250,000	97,300,000
Real estate purchase liabilities	4,256,000	9,478,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	4,301,000	3,483,000
Dividends Payable	24,793,000	24,144,000
Deferred income	1,334,000	1,673,000
Total Liabilities	237,934,000	136,078,000
Commitments and Contingencies
National Health Investors Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 27,857,217 and 27,751,208 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	279,000	278,000
Capital in excess of par value	467,843,000	465,678,000
Cumulative dividends in excess of net income	(18,495,000)	(29,652,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	7,555,000	7,181,000
Total National Health Investors Stockholders' Equity	457,182,000	443,485,000
Noncontrolling interest	10,865,000
Total Equity	468,047,000	443,485,000
Total Liabilities and Equity	705,981,000	579,563,000
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
National Health Investors Stockholders' Equity:
Noncontrolling interest		0
Total Equity	$ 10,865,000	$ 0