Commitments And Contingencies (Details)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) properties	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	$ 135,031,000	$ 63,630,000
Real estate purchase liabilities	$ 750,000	$ 3,000,000
2015 Bickford Development Properties [Member]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	60
Bickford Development Properties [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties To Be Constructed \| properties	8
Number of Development Projects, Completed \| properties	3
Development in Process	$ 17,436,000
Bickford LOC Commitment Amount [Member]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	3,550,000
Sante Partners Commitment [Member]
Capital improvements commitment	3,500,000
Real estate purchase liabilities	0
Lease Incentive Commitment Assessed As Not Probable	1,000,000
Construction and Development Costs	$ (2,621,000)
Number of Lease Inducement Payments	2
Senior Living Communities [Member]
Loans and Lease Receivable, Maximum Revolving Amount	$ 15,000,000
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	6,282,000
Revolving Note Receivable, Maximum Amount Available for Working Capital Purposes	5,000,000
Revolving Note Receivable, Amount Outstanding	$ 6,282,000
Loans Receivable, Description of Variable Rate Basis	.0227
Loans Receivable, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	6.00%
Bickford Note Investment [Member]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	342
Note Receivable Interest Rate	12.00%
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	$ 9,200,000
Chancellor Healthcare [Member]
Development in Process	33,000
Capital improvements commitment	650,000
Discovery Regency Pointe [Member]
Real estate purchase liabilities	2,500,000
Lease Incentive Commitment Assessed As Not Probable	0
Discovery Regency Pointe [Member] \| 1st Contingent Payment Amount [Member]
Real estate purchase liabilities	750,000
Prestige Senior Living [Member]
Real estate purchase liabilities	3,000,000
Asset Purchase, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Earn Out Payments	6,390,000
Senior Living Management [Member]
Capital improvements commitment	1,430,000
Signature India [Member]
Loans and Lease Receivable, Maximum Revolving Amount	1,500,000
Loans Receivable with Fixed Rates of Interest	0.10
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts and Notes Receivable	$ 250,000
Capital Improvement Commitment [Member] \| Prestige Senior Living [Member]
Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired \| properties	4
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Bickford Note Investment [Member]
Loans and Lease Receivable, Maximum Revolving Amount	$ 500,000
Note Receivable Interest Rate	10.00%
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	$ 461,000
Development Commitment [Member] \| Chancellor - Loma Linda [Member]
Maximum Commitment For All Active Development Projects	7,500,000
Development Commitment [Member] \| Chancellor - Baltimore [Member]
Maximum Commitment For All Active Development Projects	$ 500,000
Development Commitment [Member] \| Chancellor Healthcare [Member]
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	15 years
Initial lease rate	9.00%
Skilled Nursing Facility [Member] \| Senior Living Management [Member]
Capital Improvements Commitment Funded	$ (1,165,000)

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 element represents the total amount of capital improvements that an entity has committed to complete.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Capital Improvements Commitment Funded

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_CapitalImprovementsCommitmentFunded
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- 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 amount of a payment or a series of payments related to a lease incentive commitment which has been assessed as not probable and therefore is not recorded as payable.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Loans and Lease Receivable, Maximum Revolving Amount

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the number of real estate properties to be constructed, based on an agreement or commitment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number of Development Projects, Completed

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number of Lease Inducement Payments

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_NumberofLeaseInducementPayments
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
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

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

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 current amount of expenditures for a real estate project that has not yet been completed.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.10)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Phase
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49177889

+ Details

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

- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period of the sum of amounts due within one year (or one business cycle) from customers for the credit sale of goods and services; and from note holders for outstanding loans.

+ 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=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

Term of the lessor's leasing arrangement, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LessorLeasingArrangementsOperatingLeasesTermOfContract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- 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

Amount of loan with fixed rate of interest.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansReceivableWithFixedRatesOfInterest1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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

- Details

Name:	invest_InvestmentAxis=nhi_A2015BickfordDevelopmentPropertiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	invest_InvestmentAxis=nhi_SantePartnersCommitmentMember
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_BickfordNoteInvestmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	invest_InvestmentAxis=nhi_A1stContingentPaymentAmountMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_CapitalImprovementCommitmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_DevelopmentCommitmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	nhi_FacilityTypeAxis=nhi_SkilledNursingFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: