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Equity-Method Investment And Other Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
properties
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Jun. 30, 2013
Investment [Line Items]          
Equity Method Investment, Difference Between Carrying Amount and Underlying Equity         $ 8,986,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity
Number of Real Estate Properties 172us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties        
Net Assets Received In Acquisition of Equity-Method Investee     817,000nhi_NetAssetsReceivedInAcquisitionofEquityMethodInvestee    
Variable Interest Entity, Financial or Other Support, Amount 0us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityFinancialOrOtherSupportAmount        
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions 0us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions 0us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions      
Lease escrow deposits $ 21,275,000us-gaap_SecurityDeposit     $ 21,648,000us-gaap_SecurityDeposit  
Bickford Senior Living [Member]          
Investment [Line Items]          
Number of Real Estate Properties         17us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= nhi_BickfordSeniorLivingMember
Holiday Acquisition Holdings [Member]          
Investment [Line Items]          
Number of Real Estate Properties 25us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
/ us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis
= nhi_HolidayAcquisitionHoldingsMember
       
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract 17 years 0 months 0 days