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

This item represents the maximum amount of a contingent funding commitment.

No definition available.

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

This item represents the amount of a contingent funding commitment which has been funded.

No definition available.

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

This item represents the interest rate to be accrued on the outstanding balance from deferred lease payments.

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_DeferredLeasePaymentsAccrualInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	dtr-types: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

This item represents the maximum commitment for all active development projects.

No definition available.

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

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

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_NoteReceivableInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

This item represents the number of operators or tenants.

No definition available.

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

The current amount of expenditures for a real estate project that has not yet been completed.

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 210.7-03.10)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

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

Amount awarded from other party in judgment or settlement of litigation.

No definition available.

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

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=123345438&loc=d3e61044-112788

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 825
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123345438&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=124259787&loc=d3e4428-111522

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-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 number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

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

Amount of operating lease income from lease payments and variable lease payments paid and payable to lessor. Includes, but is not limited to, variable lease payments not included in measurement of lease receivable.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124258985&loc=SL77919372-209981

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123420820&loc=SL77919311-209978

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124502072&loc=SL77927221-108306

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

Amount of income or gain included in net income that result in no cash inflow (outflow), classified as other.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3602-108585

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

Cash received for the sale of real estate that is not part of an investing activity during the current period.

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

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

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

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

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

The cash outflow to repay long-term debt that is wholly or partially secured by collateral. Excludes repayments of tax exempt secured debt.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3291-108585

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

This element represents money paid in advance to protect the provider of a product or service, such as a lessor, against damage or nonpayment by the buyer or tenant (lessee) during the term of the agreement. Such damages may include physical damage to the property, theft of property, and other contractual breaches. Security deposits held may be interest or noninterest bearing.

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 210.7-03.15(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

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

Name:	nhi_LeaseConcessionsAxis=nhi_LeasePaymentDeferralMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	nhi_LeaseConcessionsAxis=nhi_LeaseAbatementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	nhi_LeaseConcessionsAxis=nhi_InitialInterestRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

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

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

Name:	us-gaap_CreditLossStatusAxis=nhi_AssessedNotProbableToOccurMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_RentDeferredSecondQuarterOf2021Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_RentDeferredThirdQuarterOf2021Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_RentDeferredNineMonthsOf2021Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_RentDeferredFourthQuarterOf2021Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_RentDeferredFirstQuarterOf2022Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

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

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