Other Assets (Schedule of Other Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity Method Investments And Other Assets [Abstract]
Accounts receivable and other assets	$ 9,709	$ 5,187
Regulatory deposits	8,208	8,208
Reserves for replacement, insurance and tax escrows	5,209	4,817
Other Assets	$ 23,126	$ 18,212

This item represents accounts receivable and assets not otherwise classified.

No definition available.

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

- Definition

Equity Method Investments And Other Assets [Abstract]

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_EquityMethodInvestmentsAndOtherAssetsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The designation of funds furnished by a borrower to a lender to assure future payments of the borrower's real estate taxes and insurance obligations with respect to a mortgaged property. Escrow deposits may be made for a variety of other purposes such as earnest money and contingent payments. This element excludes replacement reserves which are an escrow separately provided for within the US GAAP taxonomy.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of assets classified as other.

+ References

Reference 1: 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(10))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: 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(a)(10))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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(17))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents those amounts set aside for the repair and replacement of real or personal property in the foreseen future. Such amount may be funded from sales revenue (for example; timeshare sales) or operating revenues; in a lump sum or installments (such as monthly); as per internal policy (for example: hotel operators), as required by contractual agreement (for example: sales contract); or by the terms of debt agreements.

+ 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 210.7-03.2,10)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

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