Name:	nhi_ContingentIncentivePayments
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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
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Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
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Increase in mortgage note receivable from sale of real estate

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_IncreaseInMortgageNoteReceivableFromSaleOfRealEstate
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Incremental Percentage Increase in the Stated Rate of a Note Receivable

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_IncrementalPercentageIncreaseInTheStatedRateOfANoteReceivable
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The concept represents a total loan term in number of years

No definition available.

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

No definition available.

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

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_LoansReceivableDescriptionofVariableRateBasisReferenceRateMaturity
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Loans and Lease Receivable, Maximum Revolving Amount

No definition available.

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

No definition available.

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Note receivable, Payment Terms, Initial Percent of Excess Operating Cash Flow of the Facility as defined in the agreement

No definition available.

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Note receivable, Payment Terms, Reduced Percent of Excess Operating Cash Flow of the facility as stated in the agreement.

No definition available.

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Note Receivable Renewal Term

No definition available.

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

No definition available.

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Number of Additional Lease Renewal Options

No definition available.

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Number of Construction Loans

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_NumberOfConstructionLoans
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Number Of Health Care Properties Related To Mortgage Notes Receivables

No definition available.

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Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesAcquired
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Period Type:	duration

This element represents the percentage of income recognized from a lease tenant.

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_PercentageOfContinuingRevenue
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Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
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
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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
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Real Estate Investments During The Period

No definition available.

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Revolving Note Receivable, Amount Outstanding

No definition available.

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Nominal or face amount used to calculate payment on derivative.

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Amount of allowance for credit loss on financing receivable. Excludes allowance for financing receivable covered under loss sharing agreement.

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

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The increase (decrease) during the reporting period of the amounts due from borrowers for outstanding secured or unsecured loans evidenced by a note.

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Amount of interest and fee income from loans classified as other.

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

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Amount before allowance of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Includes deferred interest and fees, undisbursed portion of loan balance, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

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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.

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Percentage added to reference rate used to compute variable rate on loan receivable.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LoansReceivableBasisSpreadOnVariableRate
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Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
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The number of units in a real estate property owned as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

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

Interest received on loans and other debt instruments during the current period.

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Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromInterestReceived
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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Name:	us-gaap_LoanRestructuringModificationAxis=nhi_LoanBalanceThresholdPaymentTermsChangeMember
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