Note 7 - Marketable Securities and Restricted Marketable Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity Securities [Member]
NHI Common Stock, Cost	$ 30,176	$ 30,176
NHI Common Stock, Fair Value	125,871	116,168
Marketable equity securities	125,871	116,168
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized Cost	71,926	71,960
Fair Value	72,722	71,143
Marketable equity securities	72,722	71,143
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Amortized Cost	59,822	61,645
Fair Value	59,460	60,910
Marketable equity securities	59,460	60,910
US Government Corporations and Agencies Securities [Member]
Amortized Cost	19,945	21,123
Fair Value	20,187	21,033
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized Cost	15,266	16,446
Fair Value	15,804	16,780
Marketable equity securities	15,804	16,780
Amortized Cost	166,959	171,174
Total amortized cost	197,135	201,350
Marketable equity securities	$ 294,044	$ 286,034