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

No definition available.

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

This element represents the carrying value of a short-term real estate loan to finance building costs. The funds are disbursed as needed or in accordance with a prearranged plan; generally, a portion of the funds is disbursed at inception and the remainder as construction progresses. The money is repaid on completion of the project, usually from the proceeds of a mortgage loan. The rate is normally higher than the prime rate, and there is usually an origination fee. The effective yield on these loans tends to be high, and the lender has a security interest in the real property. Note that there are separate concepts for the current and noncurrent portions of long-term construction loans.

+ References

Reference 1: 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(19))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Definition

Reflects the amount of cash required to fully fund agreements to provide advances to borrowers and lessees at stated interest rates.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 825
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75032840&loc=d3e61044-112788

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 825
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75032840&loc=d3e61082-112788

+ Details

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

- Definition

Detail information of subsequent event by type. User is expected to use existing line items from elsewhere in the taxonomy as the primary line items for this disclosure, which is further associated with dimension and member elements pertaining to a subsequent event.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
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:

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 12, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Jul. 13, 2018
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Commitments, Fixed Rates		$ 117,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Construction Loan			$ 1,481,000
Loans and Leases Receivable, Commitments, Fixed Rates	$ 14,700,000
Note Receivable Interest Rate			9.00%
Bickford Note Investment [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Commitments, Fixed Rates		$ 42,000,000
Initial lease rate		9.55%
Bickford Note Investment [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Initial lease rate			9.55%