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

Estimated Credit Losses, Current Conditions Adjustment, Probability of Default and Loss Given Default, Combined

No definition available.

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

The concept represents a total loan term in number of years

No definition available.

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

Reflects the number of basis points by which the interest rate on a fixed rate note or lease receivable will escalate periodically.

No definition available.

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

The reference rate for variable rate loans receivable, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate.

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_LoansReceivableDescriptionVariableRateBasisReferenceRate
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

This item represents the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR.

No definition available.

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

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

This item represents the estimated increase in the expected loss given a default as part of managements assessment of estimated credit losses based on current economic conditions.

No definition available.

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

This concept represents the note year in which the note receivable interest rate will begin to escalate by a fixed amount.

No definition available.

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

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

No definition available.

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

This concept represents the percentage of outstanding principal that will be paid as a prepayment penalty.

No definition available.

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

This concept represents the annual percentage point decrease in the prepayment penalty percentage rate.

No definition available.

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

This item represents the duration of an optional renewal of the maturity date for a note receivable.

No definition available.

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

This item represents the interest rate to be received for outstanding borrowings under a master credit agreement.

No definition available.

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

This item represents the number of notes receivable in a master credit agreement.

No definition available.

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

This item represents the total amount of available borrowings in a notes receivable master credit agreement.

No definition available.

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

Number Of Additional Lease Renewal Options

No definition available.

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

Number Of Health Care Properties Related To Mortgage Notes Receivables

No definition available.

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

Number of Term Loans

No definition available.

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

This item relates to payments made as part of a mortgage loan that have been reserved for working capital need related to the underlying property.

No definition available.

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

This item represents the estimated increase in the probability of default as part of managements assessment of estimated credit losses based on current economic conditions.

No definition available.

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

This item represents the minimum amount of a purchase option when the agreement indicates the greater of this amount of fair value.

No definition available.

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

Revolving Note Receivable, Amount Outstanding

No definition available.

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

Revolving Note Receivable, Maximum Amount Available for Working Capital Purposes

No definition available.

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

Amount of financing receivable that can be withdrawn, repaid and redrawn.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121599337&loc=SL82919232-210447

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 79
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121647567&loc=SL82922352-210448

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

Amount of investment in equity method investee and investment in and advance to affiliate.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

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

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 825
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=108315417&loc=d3e61044-112788

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 825
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=108315417&loc=d3e61082-112788

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

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.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121593590&loc=d3e4428-111522

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-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=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878

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

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.

No definition available.

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

The number of units in a real estate property owned as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfUnitsInRealEstateProperty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The cash outflow from the acquisition of a piece of land, anything permanently fixed to it, including buildings, structures on it and so forth; includes real estate intended to generate income for the owner; excludes real estate acquired for use by the owner.

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3213-108585

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

Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_SeniorLivingCommunitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_BickfordNoteInvestmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_TheCourtyardAtBellevueMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_BickfordSeniorLivingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_TimberRidgeOpCoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_September2019TransactionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_DiscoverySeniorLivingMember
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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_A41ManagementMember
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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_SecuredByRealEstateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_NotSecuredByRealEstateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_After2021Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_NoteAMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_LCSTimberRidgeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_NoteBMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_June2019TransactionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_CurrentPeriodInvestmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis=nhi_June2020Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_A41ManagementSussexMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_WatermarkRetirementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_PriorPeriodInvestmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis=nhi_July2019TransactionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_CurrentPeriodRealEstateAcquisitionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis=nhi_ConsiderationTypeExistingMortgageMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis=nhi_ConsiderationTypeTotalMortgageMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_June2020Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	nhi_LeaseMaturityAxis=nhi_FirstRenewalMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_SeniorLivingManagementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	nhi_LeaseMaturityAxis=nhi_SecondRenewalMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	nhi_FacilityTypeAxis=nhi_AssistedLivingFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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