Loans and Lease Receivable, Maximum Revolving Amount

No definition available.

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

- Definition

The concept represents a total loan term in number of years

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_LoanTerm
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the total amount of other than temporary impairment charges taken during the current period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This concept reflects the interest rate to be received on a loan receivable.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Note Receivable, Renewal Term

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_NoteReceivableRenewalTerm
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number Of Health Care Properties Related To Mortgage Notes Receivables

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This item represents the number of real estate properties used to secure a mortgage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This item represents the amount of an outstanding purchase option.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Revolving Note Receivable, Amount Outstanding

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Revolving Note Receivable, Maximum Amount Available for Working Capital Purposes

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This item represents the amount of a receivable that was cancelled as partial consideration in a significant acquisition.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

For an unclassified balance sheet, a valuation allowance for receivables due a company that are expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 4

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=d3e5074-111524

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of recovery of loans and lease receivables which had previously been fully or partially written-off as bad debts.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-Subparagraph (c)(4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount after allowance and deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements and loans held for sale.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28367877&loc=d3e4428-111522

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage points (also referred to as 'margin') added to the reference rate as stated in the loan agreement and used to compute the variable rate on the loans receivable. For instance, the loan agreement might state that the interest rate the borrower is obligated to pay is the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus three quarters (3/4) of a percentage point adjusted quarterly (each three months). LIBOR in this example is the index or reference rate, 3/4 percentage point is the margin, the reference rate plus the margin is the fully indexed rate. This element would be used to report separately the margin.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansReceivableBasisSpreadOnVariableRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The reference rate for the variable rate of the loans receivable, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansReceivableDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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 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 cash inflow associated with the proceeds from sale of notes receivable, as well as principal collections from a borrowing supported by a written promise to pay an obligation (note receivable).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	invest_InvestmentAxis=nhi_AccruedInterestDueMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	invest_InvestmentAxis=nhi_GainOnPayoffOfNoteReceivableMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	invest_InvestmentAxis=nhi_MortgageNotePrincipalMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	invest_InvestmentAxis=nhi_NotSecuredByRealEstateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	invest_InvestmentAxis=nhi_RecoveryOfOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	invest_InvestmentAxis=nhi_SecuredByRealEstateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_BickfordNoteInvestmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_ElderTrustMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_GeorgiaSNFPayoffMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_SeniorLivingCommunitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_SeniortrustMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Mortgage And Other Notes Receivable (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Mortgage And Other Notes Receivable (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014 properties	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012 properties	Jul. 31, 2013 properties	Jun. 30, 2013	Aug. 30, 2013 properties	Sep. 30, 2013
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	$ 63,630,000	$ 60,639,000
Number of health care properties related to mortgage notes receivables	11
Loans Receivable, Description of Variable Rate Basis	.0217
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	0	0
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate, Impairment	0nhi_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateImpairment	4,037,000nhi_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateImpairment	2,300,000nhi_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateImpairment
Number of Real Estate Properties	172us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
Loan and realty (recoveries) losses, net		2,061,000	4,495,000
Number of Real Estate Properties, Mortgage Security			3
Senior Living Communities [Member]
Loans and Lease Receivable, Maximum Revolving Amount	15,000,000
Revolving Note Receivable, Maximum Amount Available for Working Capital Purposes	5,000,000
Revolving Note Receivable, Amount Outstanding	2,816,000
Loans Receivable, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	6.00%
Bickford Note Investment [Member]
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net				9,200,000
Number of health care properties related to mortgage notes receivables				6
Loan Term	2 years 0 months 0 days
Note Receivable, Renewal Term	1 year 0 months 0 days
Loans and Lease Receivable, Maximum Revolving Amount	500,000
Note Receivable Interest Rate	10.00%			12.00%
Purchase Option Amount				97,000,000
Number of Units in Real Estate Property				342
SeniorTrust [Member]
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net					15,000,000
Elder Trust [Member]
Significant Acquisition, Cost, Receivable Cancelled						13,741,000
Number of Real Estate Properties						7
Georgia SNF Payoff [Member]
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net							3,293,000
Loan and realty (recoveries) losses, net		2,061,000
Proceeds from Sale and Collection of Notes Receivable			13,830,000
Secured By Real Estate [Member]
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	34,850,000	34,926,000
Not Secured By Real Estate [Member]
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	28,780,000	25,713,000
Mortgage Note Principal [Member] \| Georgia SNF Payoff [Member]
Proceeds from Sale and Collection of Notes Receivable			4,650,000
Accrued Interest Due [Member] \| Georgia SNF Payoff [Member]
Proceeds from Sale and Collection of Notes Receivable			80,000
Recovery Of Other Than Temporary Impairment [Member] \| Georgia SNF Payoff [Member]
Proceeds from Sale and Collection of Notes Receivable			4,495,000
Gain On Payoff Of Note Receivable [Member] \| Georgia SNF Payoff [Member]
Proceeds from Sale and Collection of Notes Receivable			$ 4,605,000