This item represents the maximum amount of contingent payments the seller of an asset could potentially earn.

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_AssetPurchaseContingentConsiderationArrangementsEarnOutPayments
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents actual rental income prior to adjustments related to the straight-line recognition of lease revenue.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_BilledRent
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Capital Improvements Commitment

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_CapitalImprovementsCommitment
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The inital lease amount charged under a lease entered into in connection with the purchase of property.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_InitialLeaseAmount
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The initial rate charged under a lease entered into in connection with the purchase of a property.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_InitialLeaseRate
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the percentage of ownership interest which is retained subsequent to contribution into a joint venture.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_JointVentureContributedPropertiesOwnershipInterestRetained
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the percentage of ownership interest which is surrendered subsequent to contribution into a joint venture.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_JointVentureContributedPropertiesOwnershipInterestSurrendered
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The initial escalator rate charged from lease year 3 through the end of the lease term under a lease entered into in connection with the purchase of a property.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_LeaseEscalatorRateAfterLeaseYear3
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The initial escalator rate charged from lease year 1 and through lease year 3 under a lease entered into in connection with the purchase of a property.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_LeaseEscalatorRateFromLeaseYear1toLeaseYear3
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Lease renewal period in years

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_LeaseRenewalPeriodInYears
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the maximum commitment for all active development projects.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_MaximumCommitmentForAllActiveDevelopmentProjects
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the minimum annual lease income to be received.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_MinimumAnnualLeaseIncome
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the original cost of corporate assets that are not part of the investment portfolio.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_NonportfolioAssetsOriginalCost
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number Of Additional Lease Renewal Options

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_NumberOfAdditionalLeaseRenewalOptions
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the number of active development or construction projects.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_NumberOfDevelopmentProjectsActive
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of lessees of real estate property at the end of the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_NumberOfLessees
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of Master Leases

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_NumberofMasterLeases
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the number of years in an initial lease term.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_Numberofyearsininitialleaseterm
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of Years Until Lease Rate Escalator Change

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_NumberofYearsUntilLeaseRateEscalatorChange
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the percentage of income recognized from a lease tenant.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_PercentageOfContinuingRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the rental revenue rate earned during the period from lessee-operators based on revenues generated in their operations, generally in excess of a base amount. Generally stipulated in the lease agreement, it usually will provide for a fixed percentage of revenue to be paid as additional (or possibly only) rent due the lessor, and may be based on gross revenues, net revenues, or multiple variations thereof.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_PercentageRentRate
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The selling price agreed to in a purchase option.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_PurchaseOptionAmount
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The element represents the original cost of all portfolio leased assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyPortfolioAssets
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Real estate purchase liabilities

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_RealEstatePurchaseLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the cash proceeds transferred as partial consideration in a significant acquisition.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_SignificantAcquisitionCostCash
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the amount of earnings or loss of the acquiree since the acquisition date included in the consolidated income statement for the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (h)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25497992&loc=d3e1392-128463

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationEarningsOrLossOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the amount of revenue of the acquiree since the acquisition date included in the consolidated income statement for the reporting period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationRevenueOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate costs related to construction and development services during the reporting period.

+ 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 210.5-03.2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConstructionAndDevelopmentCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- 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

- 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

- Definition

The number of units in a real estate property owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfUnitsInRealEstateProperty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The total amount of revenue recognized for the period from operating leases, including minimum lease revenue, contingent revenue, percentage revenue and sublease revenue.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 20

-Section 25

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7501430&loc=d3e39896-112707

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementLeaseRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the rental revenue earned during the period from lessee-operators based on revenues generated in their operations, generally in excess of a base amount. Such rental revenue is generally stipulated in the lease agreement, usually will provide for a fixed percentage of revenue to be paid as additional (or possibly only) rent due the lessor, and may be based on gross revenues, net revenues, or multiple variations thereof. Percentage rent is often required under leases with retail outlets located on premises owned by hoteliers, cruise lines, others in the hospitality industry, and shopping mall operators, among others.

+ 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=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PercentageRent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Difference between actual rental income due and rental income recognized on a straight-line basis.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StraightLineRent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Real Estate (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Real Estate (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014 properties	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Number of Real Estate Properties	161
Number of States in which Entity Operates	30
Nonportfolio Assets, Original Cost	$ 887,000
Real Estate Investment Property, Portfolio Assets	1,467,328,000
Number of Lessees	24
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	40,313,000	24,105,000
Straight Line Rent	4,195,000	1,283,000
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual	2,588,000
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Earnings or Loss of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual	409,000
Real estate purchase liabilities	4,000,000		2,600,000
Prestige Senior Living [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	4
Number of years in initial lease term	15 years 0 months 0 days
Significant Acquisition, Cost, Cash	40,115,000
Asset Purchase, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Earn Out Payments	6,390,000
Initial lease rate	8.40%
Real estate purchase liabilities	3,000,000
Prestige Senior Living [Member] \| Capital Improvement Commitment [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	2
Capital Improvements Commitment	2,000,000
Care Investment Trust [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	14
Holiday Acquisition Holdings [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	25
Number of years in initial lease term	17 years 0 months 0 days
Initial Lease Amount	31,915,000
Lease Escalator Rate, From Lease Year 1 to Lease Year 3	4.50%
Number of Years Until Lease Rate Escalator Change	3 years 0 months 0 days
Lease Escalator Rate, After Lease Year 3	3.50%
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	10,954,000
Percentage of Continuing Revenue	25.00%
Billed Rent	7,979,000
Straight Line Rent	2,975,000
Bickford Senior Living [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	29
Initial Lease Amount	19,108,000
Joint Venture Contributed Properties Ownership Interest Retained	85.00%
Joint Venture Contributed Properties Ownership Interest Surrendered	15.00%
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	5,263,000	2,081,000
Percentage of Continuing Revenue	12.00%	8.00%
Construction and Development Costs	19,254,000
Bickford Senior Living [Member] \| Bickford Development Properties [Member]
Number Of Development Projects Active	1
Maximum Commitment For All Active Development Projects	9,000,000
Construction and Development Costs	3,958,000
Bickford Senior Living [Member] \| Stabilized Portfolio [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	27
Bickford Senior Living [Member] \| Unstabilized Portfolio [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	2
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	366,000	146,000
Construction and Development Costs	15,296,000
National Healthcare Corporation [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	42
Number of Master Leases	2
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	9,118,000	8,947,000
Percentage of Continuing Revenue	21.00%	33.00%
Percentage rent	581,000	1,315,000
National Healthcare Corporation [Member] \| NHC - 1991 Lease [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	35
Number of additional lease renewal options	2
Lease Renewal Period In Years	5 years 0 months 0 days
Minimum Annual Lease Income	30,750,000
National Healthcare Corporation [Member] \| NHC - 2013 Lease [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	7
Percentage Rent Rate	0.04
Minimum Annual Lease Income	3,450,000
Purchase Option Amount	$ 49,000,000
Senior Housing Community [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	92
Independent Living Facility [Member] \| National Healthcare Corporation [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	3
Skilled Nursing Facility [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	64
Skilled Nursing Facility [Member] \| Prestige Senior Living [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	3
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	196
Skilled Nursing Facility [Member] \| National Healthcare Corporation [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	39
Skilled Nursing Facility [Member] \| National Healthcare Corporation [Member] \| Subleased Facilities [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	4
Assisted Living Facility [Member] \| Prestige Senior Living [Member]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	105
Hospital [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	3
Medical Office Building [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties	2