Net Proceeds from the Sale of Real Estate

No definition available.

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

- Definition

The net gain (loss) resulting from sales and other disposals of real estate owned for investment purposes.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(b)(9)(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123367319&loc=SL114868664-224227

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 360
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123605587&loc=d3e23528-158515

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(b)(7)(c))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123367319&loc=SL114868664-224227

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04(14)(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120399700&loc=SL114874048-224260

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 360
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123605564&loc=d3e23439-158514

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(3)(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400993&loc=SL114874131-224263

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 360
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123605564&loc=d3e23415-158514

+ Details

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

- Definition

The charge against earnings in the period to reduce the carrying amount of real property to fair value.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ImpairmentOfRealEstate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash inflow from proceeds From Sales of Wholly Owned Real Estate and Real Estate Acquired in Settlement of Loans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfWhollyOwnedRealEstateAndRealEstateAcquiredInSettlementOfLoans
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of real estate investments, net of accumulated depreciation, which may include the following: (1) land available-for-sale; (2) land available-for-development; (3) investments in building and building improvements; (4) tenant allowances; (5) developments in-process; (6) rental properties; (7) other real estate investments; (8) real estate joint ventures; and (9) unconsolidated real estate and other joint ventures not separately presented.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of the adjustment to rental revenues to measure escalating leasing revenues on a straight line basis.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StraightLineRentAdjustments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_BickfordSeniorLivingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_CommunityHealthSystemsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_TrustPointHospitalMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_HolidayAcquisitionHoldingEightMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_QuorumHealthMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_SeniorLivingManagementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_HolidayAcquisitionHoldingsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_HolidayArborGlennMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Asset Disposition (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Asset Disposition (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021 USD ($) properties	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2021 USD ($) properties	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Aug. 05, 2021 beds_or_units
Number of Properties \| properties	208		208
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Investment Real Estate	$ 19,941	$ 0	$ 26,426	$ 21,007
Proceeds from Sale of Wholly Owned Real Estate and Real Estate Acquired in Settlement of Loans			203,147	$ 39,260
Net Proceeds from the Sale of Real Estate			215,986
Impairment of Real Estate			(22,500)
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Real Estate Investments, Net	$ 193,228		193,228
2019 Straight Line Rent			(2,264)
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Investment Real Estate			$ 20,494
Bickford Senior Living [Member]
Number of Properties \| properties	42		42
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Investment Real Estate			$ 3,568
Proceeds from Sale of Wholly Owned Real Estate and Real Estate Acquired in Settlement of Loans			39,924
Bickford Senior Living [Member] \| Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Real Estate Investments, Net	$ 34,485		$ 34,485
Number of Properties \| properties	6		6
2019 Straight Line Rent			$ 1,871
Proceeds from Sale of Wholly Owned Real Estate and Real Estate Acquired in Settlement of Loans	$ 52,100
Community Health Systems
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Investment Real Estate			2,879
Net Proceeds from the Sale of Real Estate			3,887
Community Health Systems \| Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Real Estate Investments, Net	$ 946		$ 946
Number of Properties \| properties	1		1
2019 Straight Line Rent			$ (62)
TrustPoint Hospital
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Investment Real Estate	$ 8,600		8,635
Net Proceeds from the Sale of Real Estate			31,215
TrustPoint Hospital \| Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Real Estate Investments, Net	$ 21,018		$ 21,018
Number of Properties \| properties	1		1
2019 Straight Line Rent			$ (1,562)
Holiday Acquisition Holding Eight \| Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Real Estate Investments, Net	$ 113,611		113,611
Quorum Health [Member]
Net Proceeds from the Sale of Real Estate			8,314
Impairment of Real Estate	(1,300)		(1,254)
Quorum Health [Member] \| Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Real Estate Investments, Net	9,568		9,568
Number of Properties \| beds_or_units					1
Senior Living Management [Member]
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Investment Real Estate	9,400		9,425
Net Proceeds from the Sale of Real Estate			12,847
Senior Living Management [Member] \| Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Real Estate Investments, Net	$ 3,212		3,212
Number of Properties \| beds_or_units					1
2019 Straight Line Rent			$ (210)
Holiday Acquisition Holdings [Member]
Number of Properties \| properties	17		17
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Investment Real Estate	$ 1,900		$ 1,882
Net Proceeds from the Sale of Real Estate			$ 114,133
Holiday Acquisition Holdings [Member] \| Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Number of Properties	8		8		8
2019 Straight Line Rent			$ 1,360
Holiday Arbor Glenn
Net Proceeds from the Sale of Real Estate			5,666
Impairment of Real Estate	$ (4,600)		(4,641)
Holiday Arbor Glenn \| Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Real Estate Investments, Net	$ 10,388		10,388
Number of Properties \| beds_or_units					1
2019 Straight Line Rent			$ 81