Convertible Debt Instrument, Conversion Ratio, Principal Amount, Basis

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_ConvertibleDebtInstrumentConversionRatioPrincipalAmountBasis
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of current revolving borrowing capacity under the credit facility considering any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed (for example, borrowings may be limited by the amount of current assets), but without considering any amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The item represents the amount by which the maximum borrowing capacity of a credit facility could be expanded if an attached accordion feature were exercised.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Variable Interest Rate, Reference Rate, Basis Points

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the number of years a debt maturity may be optionally extended beyond the current maturity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number of Term Loans

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This concept represents the outstanding balance of term loans.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The estimated net amount of existing gains or losses on cash flow hedges at the reporting date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 30
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-Paragraph 1
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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying amount of debt identified as being convertible into another form of financial instrument (typically the entity's common stock) as of the balance sheet date, which originally required full repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the company.

+ References

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying amount of the equity component of convertible debt which may be settled in cash upon conversion.

+ References

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-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The price per share of the conversion feature embedded in the debt instrument.

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Ratio applied to the conversion of debt instrument into equity with equity shares divided by debt principal amount.

+ References

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- Definition

The number of equity instruments that the holder of the debt instrument would receive if the debt was converted to equity.

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of debt discount that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

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-Publisher FASB
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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of debt issuance costs (for example, but not limited to, legal, accounting, broker, and regulatory fees).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of convertible debt securities using the if-converted method.

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The interest rate applicable to the portion of the carrying amount of long-term borrowings outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including current maturities, which accrues interest at a set, unchanging rate.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of the contractual principal due at the origination of the mortgage loan (face amount).

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The stated interest rate on the mortgage loan receivable or the weighted average interest rate on a group of loans.

+ References

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Indicates the number of mortgages under each classification.

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- Definition

The amount of debt that an Entity assumes in acquiring a business or in consideration for an asset received in a noncash (or part noncash) acquisition. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

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- Definition

Dividend or interest rate associated with the financial or equity instrument issued as noncash or part noncash consideration for a business or asset acquired. Noncash are transactions that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments. Part noncash refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments.

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- Definition

The total amount of [all] liabilities that an Entity assumes in acquiring a business or in consideration for an asset received in a noncash (or part noncash) acquisition. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

+ References

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The cash inflow from the issuance of a long-term debt instrument which can be exchanged for a specified amount of another security, typically the entity's common stock, at the option of the issuer or the holder.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
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- Definition

The remaining balance of debt issuance expenses that were capitalized and are being amortized against income over the lives of the respective bond issues. This does not include the amounts capitalized as part of the cost of the utility plant or asset.

+ References

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- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of uncollateralized debt obligations (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer).

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
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Debt (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Debt (Narrative) (Details)	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) properties shares number_of_loans $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) shares	Nov. 03, 2015 USD ($)
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount		$ 7,435,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		800,000,000
Credit Facility Expansion Amount		250,000,000
Credit Facility, Current Revolving Borrowing Capacity		$ 550,000,000
Debt Instrument, Variable Interest Rate, Reference Rate, Basis Points		4300.00%
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage		4000.00%
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties		180
Proceeds from Convertible Debt	$ 200,000,000	$ 0	$ 200,000,000	$ 0
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Ratio		13.926
Convertible Debt Instrument, Conversion Ratio, Principal Amount, Basis		$ 1,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price \| $ / shares		$ 71.81
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Conversion of Debt Securities \| shares		4,735	0	0
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Number of Equity Instruments \| shares		2,785,200
Convertible Debt	$ 192,238,000	$ 194,138,000	$ 193,037,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Carrying Amount of Equity Component		$ 7,762,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage		3.90%
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Value of Liabilities Assumed		$ 1,076,000	2,091,000	$ 3,086,000
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified within Twelve Months		3,401,137
12-Year Private Placement Notes [Member]
Unsecured Debt		$ 100,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term		12 years
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate		4.51%
8-Year AIG Private Placement Notes [Member]
Unsecured Debt					$ 50,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term		8 years
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate		3.99%
10-Year AIG Private Placement Notes [Member]
Unsecured Debt		$ 50,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term		10 years
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate		4.33%
Debt Instrument, Name, Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Maturity, Extension Option, Number Of Years		1 year
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		15000.00%
Unused balance of the unsecured revolving credit facility		$ 516,000,000
Debt Instrument Name, $130m Term Loan - June 2020 Maturity [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		17500.00%
Term Loans, Outstanding Balance		$ 130,000,000
Debt Instrument Name, $120m Term Loans - June 2020 Maturity [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		17500.00%
Term Loans, Outstanding Balance		$ 120,000,000
Number of Term Loans		2
Debt Instrument, Prior to Amendment [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$ 700,000,000
Debt Instrument, Name, Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount		$ 5,862,000	6,963,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.25%
Debt Issuance Cost		$ 6,063,000
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense		$ 4,158,000
Debt Instrument, Name, HUD Mortgages [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties		10
Debt Instrument, HUD Mortgages, 2049 Maturity [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Number of Loans \| number_of_loans		9
Debt Instrument, Name, Fannie Mae Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument, Term		10 years
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Face Amount of Mortgages		$ 78,084,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.79%
Number of Real Estate Properties		13
8-Year Private Placement Notes [Member]
Unsecured Debt		$ 125,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term		8 years
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate		3.99%
Debt Instrument, Name, Q3 2014 HUD Mortgages [Member]
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount		$ 1,573,000	$ 1,662,000
Debt Instrument, HUD Mortgages, 2047 Maturity [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Number of Loans \| number_of_loans		1
Allocated to Debt [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Name, Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Issuance Cost		$ 5,788,000
Allocated to Equity [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Name, Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Issuance Cost		$ 275,000
Bickford Senior Living [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties		32
Middletown, OH [Member] \| Bickford Senior Living [Member]
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Noncash Financial or Equity Instrument Consideration, Rate		2.90%
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Debt Assumed		$ 9,311,000
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Value of Liabilities Assumed		$ 7,737,000
Minimum [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Name, HUD Mortgages [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Interest Rate		4.30%
Maximum [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Name, HUD Mortgages [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Interest Rate		4.40%