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

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
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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

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Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

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

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No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

This item represents the amount of a payment or a series of payments related to a lease incentive commitment which has been assessed as not probable and therefore is not recorded as payable.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
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- Definition

Loans and Lease Receivable, Maximum Revolving Amount

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No definition available.

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- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

This item represents a note receivable commitment the funding of which is contingent upon the achievement of certain performance metrics.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

This item represents the remaining amount unfunded related to an outstanding note receivable agreement.

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No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the number of active development or construction projects.

+ References

No definition available.

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

This element represents the number of real estate properties to be constructed, based on an agreement or commitment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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- Definition

Number of Development Projects, Completed

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No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

This element represents the amount of payments to be made to the seller of a real estate property contingent upon the occurrence of specific events.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- 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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- 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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- Definition

Real estate purchase liabilities

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Revolving Note Receivable, Amount Outstanding

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No definition available.

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Revolving Note Receivable, Maximum Amount Available for Working Capital Purposes

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The aggregate costs related to construction and development services during the reporting period.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2)
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- Definition

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

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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- 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

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- 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.

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- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

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No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

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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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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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.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
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-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7)
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The percentage points (also referred to as 'margin') added to the reference rate as stated in the loan agreement and used to compute the variable rate on the loans receivable. For instance, the loan agreement might state that the interest rate the borrower is obligated to pay is the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus three quarters (3/4) of a percentage point adjusted quarterly (each three months). LIBOR in this example is the index or reference rate, 3/4 percentage point is the margin, the reference rate plus the margin is the fully indexed rate. This element would be used to report separately the margin.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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- Definition

The reference rate for the variable rate of the loans receivable, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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- Definition

The number of states the entity operates in as of the balance sheet date.

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No definition available.

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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.

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No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow for acquisition of or capital improvements to properties held for investment (operating, managed, leased) or for use.

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

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Commitments And Contingencies (Details)	9 Months Ended
Commitments And Contingencies (Details)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) properties	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016 beds_or_units	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	196
Number of States in which Entity Operates			32
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount					$ 183,993,000	$ 133,714,000
Real estate purchase liabilities					750,000	$ 750,000
Payments for Capital Improvements	$ 913,000	$ 2,757,000
Legend Senior Living [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	9
Real Estate Properties, Commitment To Purchase \| properties	4
Real Estate Properties, Commitment To Purchase, Amount					$ 56,000,000
Senior Living Communities [Member]
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	15 years
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Renewal Term	5 years
Construction of transitional rehabilitation center, number of beds				1,671	186
Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired \| properties	8
Loans and Lease Receivable, Maximum Revolving Amount					$ 15,000,000
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount					6,024,000
Revolving Note Receivable, Maximum Amount Available for Working Capital Purposes					5,000,000
Revolving Note Receivable, Amount Outstanding					4,096,000
Loans Receivable, Description of Variable Rate Basis, Reference Rate Maturity	10 years
Loans Receivable, Description of Variable Rate Basis	0.016
Loans Receivable, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			6.00%
Senior Living Management [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	5
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount					12,556,000
Loans and Leases Receivable, Commitments, Fixed Rates	$ 24,500,000
Bickford Senior Living [Member]
Number Of Development Projects Active \| properties	5
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	15 years
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Renewal Term	5 years
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	32
Initial lease rate			7.25%
Construction of transitional rehabilitation center, number of beds \| beds_or_units				277
Capital improvements commitment					2,400,000
Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired \| properties	5
Note Receivable Interest Rate			9.00%
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount					1,500,000
Note Receivable, Contingent Commitment					2,000,000
Loans and Leases Receivable, Commitments, Fixed Rates	$ 14,000,000
Chancellor Healthcare [Member]
Development in Process					52,000
Capital improvements commitment					650,000
Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired \| properties	2
The Ensign Group [Member]
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	15 years
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Renewal Term	5 years
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	15
Construction of transitional rehabilitation center, number of beds	245			931
Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired \| properties	8
Holiday Acquisition Holdings [Member]
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	17 years
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	25
Watermark Retirement Communities [Member]
Development in Process					747,000
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	15 years
Initial lease rate			7.00%
Construction of transitional rehabilitation center, number of beds \| beds_or_units				460
Capital improvements commitment					10,000,000
Capital Improvement Commitment, Period, Years	2 years
Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired \| properties	2
Life Care Services [Member]
Note Receivable Funding Commitment					26,064,000
Village Concepts [Member]
Lessor Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	15 years
Initial lease rate			7.25%
Construction of transitional rehabilitation center, number of beds \| beds_or_units				98
Capital improvements commitment					350,000
Payments for Capital Improvements	$ 158,000
East Lake Mgmt, Acquisition [Member]
Capital improvements commitment					400,000
Number Of Real Estate Properties Acquired \| properties	3
Lease Incentive Commitment Assessed As Not Probable	$ 8,000,000
Payments to acquire real estate, seller earnout, contingent, not probable	750,000
SLC Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Senior Living Communities [Member]
Note Receivable Funding Commitment					10,904,000
Loans and Leases Receivable, Commitments, Fixed Rates	15,000,000
SLC Mezzanine Loan [Member] \| Senior Living Communities [Member]
Note Receivable Funding Commitment					7,850,000
Loans and Leases Receivable, Commitments, Fixed Rates	$ 14,000,000
Bickford Development Properties [Member]
Number Of Development Projects Active \| properties	5
Development in Process					43,017,000
Number of Real Estate Properties To Be Constructed \| properties	8
Maximum Commitment For All Active Development Projects					55,000,000
Number of Development Projects, Completed \| properties	3
Construction of transitional rehabilitation center, number of beds \| beds_or_units				60
Bickford LOC Commitment Amount [Member]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount					3,930,000
Sante Partners Commitment [Member]
Construction and Development Costs	$ 2,621,000
Capital improvements commitment					3,500,000
Lease Incentive Commitment Assessed As Not Probable	$ 2,000,000
Real estate purchase liabilities					$ 0