This element represents the agreed selling price for an asset classified at the balance sheet date as held for sale.

No definition available.

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

- Definition

This item represents the number of years during which a capital improvement commitment is expected to be fulfilled.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_CapitalImprovementCommitmentPeriodYears
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the total amount of capital improvements that an entity has committed to complete.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The inital lease amount charged under a lease entered into in connection with the purchase of property.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The initial rate charged under a lease entered into in connection with the purchase of a property.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_InitialLeaseRate
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the percentage of ownership interest which is retained subsequent to contribution into a joint venture.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_JointVentureContributedPropertiesOwnershipInterestRetained
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the amount, reflected as a percentage of the prior year amount, by which a lease payment will increase each lease year.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_LeaseEscalatorPercent
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The initial escalator rate charged from lease year 3 through the end of the lease term under a lease entered into in connection with the purchase of a property.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_LeaseEscalatorRateAfterLeaseYear3
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The initial escalator rate charged from lease year 1 and through lease year 3 under a lease entered into in connection with the purchase of a property.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_LeaseEscalatorRateFromLeaseYear1toLeaseYear3
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The initial lease escalator rate charged from lease year 2 through lease year 4 under a lease entered into in connection with the purchase of a property.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_LeaseEscalatorRateLeaseYear2toLeaseYear4
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The initial lease escalator to be charged starting after lease year 4 under a lease entered into in connection with the purchase of a property.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_LeaseEscalatorRateafterLeaseYear4
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the number of shares of a lessor that are owned by a significant lessee as of the end of the reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_LessorEquitySharesOwnedSignificantLessee
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the minimum annual lease income to be received.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_MinimumAnnualLeaseIncome
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the original cost of corporate assets that are not part of the investment portfolio.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number Of Additional Lease Renewal Options

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The number of lessees of real estate property at the end of the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the number of real estate properties sold during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesSold
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of Master Leases

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This item represents the number of real estate properties held for sale.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This item represents required deposit payments related to acquisition of real estate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_PercentageOfContinuingRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the rental revenue rate earned during the period from lessee-operators based on revenues generated in their operations, generally in excess of a base amount. Generally stipulated in the lease agreement, it usually will provide for a fixed percentage of revenue to be paid as additional (or possibly only) rent due the lessor, and may be based on gross revenues, net revenues, or multiple variations thereof.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_PercentageRentRate
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the net investment amount for a property group within a real estate portfolio.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This item represents the amount of an outstanding purchase option.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This concept represents the lease or note year during which the purchase option period opens.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_PurchaseOptionOpenPeriodBeginLeaseorNoteYear
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The element represents the original cost of all portfolio leased assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This item represents the number of real estate properties for which the entity has made a binding commitment to purchase.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This item represents the purchase commitment for real estate properties which the entity has entered into a binding agreement to acquire.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This item represents the purchase price of a real estate acquisition including cash and debt forgiveness.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Settlement Of Mortgage Note By Real Estate Acquisition

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This item represents an accumulated straight-line rent receivable balance written off as a result of a lease amendment or termination.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.10)
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Phase
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49177889

+ Details

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

- 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/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.14(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance and having a projected indefinite period of benefit.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275

+ Details

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

- Definition

Term of the lessor's leasing arrangement renewal, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LessorLeasingArrangementsOperatingLeasesRenewalTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Term of the lessor's leasing arrangement, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LessorLeasingArrangementsOperatingLeasesTermOfContract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
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 number of states the entity operates in as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The number of units in a real estate property owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The total amount of revenue recognized for the period from operating leases, including minimum lease revenue, contingent revenue, percentage revenue and sublease revenue.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 20
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7501430&loc=d3e39896-112707

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash outflow from the acquisition of a piece of land, anything permanently fixed to it, including buildings, structures on it and so forth; includes real estate intended to generate income for the owner; excludes real estate acquired for use by the owner.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the rental revenue earned during the period from lessee-operators based on revenues generated in their operations, generally in excess of a base amount. Such rental revenue is generally stipulated in the lease agreement, usually will provide for a fixed percentage of revenue to be paid as additional (or possibly only) rent due the lessor, and may be based on gross revenues, net revenues, or multiple variations thereof. Percentage rent is often required under leases with retail outlets located on premises owned by hoteliers, cruise lines, others in the hospitality industry, and shopping mall operators, among others.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(e))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

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

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of investments in land and buildings held for sale, excluding real estate considered to be inventory of the entity.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of cash outflow for transaction costs in a sale-leaseback recognized in investing activities. Includes, but is not limited to, closing and debt issuance costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 40
-Section 55
-Paragraph 52
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28365400&loc=d3e51843-112757

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-SubTopic 40
-Section 55
-Paragraph 50
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28365400&loc=d3e51831-112757

+ Details

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

- Definition

Difference between actual rental income due and rental income recognized on a straight-line basis.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	invest_InvestmentAxis=nhi_BickfordRIDEAPropertiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_A2015BickfordDevelopmentPropertiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_WatermarkRetirementCommunitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

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Name:	us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_TheEnsignGroupMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_LegendSeniorLivingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_VillageConceptsMember
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Name:	us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_NationalHealthcareCorporationMember
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Name:	invest_InvestmentAxis=nhi_NHC1991LeaseMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Name:	invest_InvestmentAxis=nhi_NHC2013LeaseMember
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Name:	us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_SeniorLivingCommunitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=nhi_SeniorHousingCommunityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=nhi_SkilledNursingFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	invest_InvestmentAxis=nhi_SubleasedFacilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=nhi_HospitalMember
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Name:	nhi_PropertyLocationAxis=nhi_GrangevilleIdMember
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Real Estate (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Real Estate (Narrative) (Details)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) properties	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) properties	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016 shares	Jun. 30, 2016 beds_or_units	Jun. 30, 2016 renewalOptions	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 Master_Leases	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	194		194
Number of States in which Entity Operates					32
Nonportfolio Assets, Original Cost									$ 1,118,000
Real Estate Investment Property, Portfolio Assets									2,346,903,000
Number of Lessees					26
Payments to Acquire Real Estate			$ 261,610,000	$ 3,261,000
Non-cash write-off of straight-line rent receivable			14,726,000	0
Settlement Of Mortgage Note By Real Estate Acquisition			0	255,000
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	$ 57,028,000	$ 52,670,000	112,102,000	105,165,000
Straight Line Rent			10,583,000	12,308,000
Gain on sale of real estate	$ 2,928,000	0	$ 4,582,000	0
Real Estate Held-for-sale									0		$ 1,346,000
Bickford RIDEA Properties [Member] \| 2015 Bickford Development Properties [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	5		5
Watermark Retirement Communities [Member]
Payments to Acquire Real Estate			$ 56,300,000
Payments To Acquire Real Estate, Lease Deposit			$ 4,500,000
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| beds_or_units							460
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract			15 years
Development in Process									(747,000)
Purchase Option, Open Period, Begin, Lease or Note Year			6 years
Initial lease rate					7.00%
Lease Escalator Rate Lease Year 2 to Lease Year 4					3.50%
Lease Escalator Rate after Lease Year 4					3.00%
Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired \| properties			2
Capital Improvements Commitment									10,000,000
Capital Improvement Commitment, Period, Years			2 years
The Ensign Group [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	15		15
Payments to Acquire Real Estate			$ 118,500,000
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	245		245				931
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract			15 years
Initial Lease Amount									17,750,000
Property Group, Original Investment, Net			$ 211,000,000
Non-cash write-off of straight-line rent receivable			$ 8,326,000
Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired \| properties			8
Number Of Additional Lease Renewal Options					2
Lease Renewal Period In Years			5 years
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)									6,400,000
Asset Held For Sale, Agreed Selling Price									24,600,000
Number of Real Estate Properties, Held for Sale \| properties	2		2
Legend Senior Living [Member]
Real Estate Properties, Commitment To Purchase \| properties	4		4
Real Estate Properties, Commitment To Purchase, Amount									56,000,000
Village Concepts [Member]
Payments to Acquire Real Estate			$ 9,463,000
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| beds_or_units							98
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract			15 years
Asset Purchase Transaction Costs			$ 213,000
Initial lease rate					7.25%
Capital Improvements Commitment									350,000
Bickford Senior Living [Member] \| Bickford Non-RIDEA Properties [Member]
Payments to Acquire Real Estate			$ 77,747,000
Number of Units in Real Estate Property \| beds_or_units							277
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract			15 years
Settlement Of Mortgage Note By Real Estate Acquisition			$ 9,753,000
Initial lease rate					7.25%
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue			$ 849,000
Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired \| properties			5
Real Estate Purchase Price			$ 87,500,000
Number Of Additional Lease Renewal Options \| renewalOptions								2
Lease Renewal Period In Years			5 years
Lease Escalator, Percent					3.00%
Capital Improvements Commitment									2,400,000
Bickford Senior Living [Member] \| Bickford RIDEA Properties [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	32		32
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	$ 6,315,000	$ 5,890,000	$ 12,622,000	$ 11,695,000
Percentage of Continuing Revenue	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Joint Venture Contributed Properties Ownership Interest Retained					85.00%
Minimum Annual Lease Income			$ 25,359,000
Lease Escalator, Percent					3.00%
Holiday Acquisition Holdings [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	25		25
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract			17 years
Lease Escalator Rate, From Lease Year 1 to Lease Year 3					4.50%
Lease Escalator Rate, After Lease Year 3					3.50%
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	$ 10,954,000	$ 10,954,000	$ 21,908,000	$ 21,908,000
Percentage of Continuing Revenue	18.00%	19.00%	18.00%	20.00%
Straight Line Rent	$ 2,241,000	$ 2,616,000	$ 4,482,000	$ 5,233,000
National Healthcare Corporation [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	42		42
Number of Master Leases \| Master_Leases										2
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	$ 9,270,000	$ 9,133,000	$ 19,087,000	$ 18,360,000
Percentage of Continuing Revenue	15.00%	16.00%	16.00%	16.00%
Lessor Equity Shares Owned, Significant Lessee \| shares						1,630,462
Percentage rent	$ 733,000	$ 596,000	$ 2,013,000	$ 1,286,000
National Healthcare Corporation [Member] \| NHC - 1991 Lease [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	35		35
Number Of Additional Lease Renewal Options \| renewalOptions								2
Lease Renewal Period In Years			5 years
Percentage Rent Rate			0.04
Minimum Annual Lease Income			$ 30,750,000
National Healthcare Corporation [Member] \| NHC - 2013 Lease [Member]
Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired \| properties			7
Percentage Rent Rate			0.04
Minimum Annual Lease Income			$ 3,450,000
Purchase Option Amount									$ 49,000,000
Senior Living Communities [Member]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property							1,671		186
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract			15 years
Lease Escalator Rate Lease Year 2 to Lease Year 4					4.00%
Lease Escalator Rate after Lease Year 4					3.00%
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	$ 9,855,000	$ 9,855,000	$ 19,711,000	$ 19,711,000
Percentage of Continuing Revenue	16.00%	18.00%	16.00%	18.00%
Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired \| properties			8
Straight Line Rent	$ 1,795,000	$ 2,105,000	$ 3,591,000	$ 4,211,000
Number Of Additional Lease Renewal Options					2
Lease Renewal Period In Years			5 years
Senior Housing Community [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	122		122
Skilled Nursing Facility [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	67		67
Gain on sale of real estate			$ 2,805,000
Number Of Real Estate Properties Sold \| properties			2
Proceeds from Sale of Real Estate			$ 24,600,000
Skilled Nursing Facility [Member] \| National Healthcare Corporation [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	39		39
Skilled Nursing Facility [Member] \| National Healthcare Corporation [Member] \| Subleased Facilities [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	4		4
Hospital [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	3		3
Medical Office Building [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	2		2
Independent Living Facility [Member] \| National Healthcare Corporation [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	3		3
Senior Living Campus [Member] \| Watermark Retirement Communities [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	2		2
Assisted Living Facility [Member] \| Watermark Retirement Communities [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	1		1
Vacant Land [Member]
Gain on sale of real estate			$ 123,000
Grangeville, ID [Member]
Gain on sale of real estate			$ 1,654,000
Real Estate Held-for-sale									$ 1,346,000
Asset Held For Sale, Agreed Selling Price									$ 3,000,000
Iowa [Member] \| Bickford Senior Living [Member] \| Bickford Non-RIDEA Properties [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	2		2