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

The decrease in the number of shares (or other type of equity) issuable under stock option plan pertaining to awards for which the grantee has gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units.

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedVestedInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The weighted average fair value as of grant date pertaining to a stock option award for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash in accordance with terms of the arrangement.

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Gross number of share options (or share units) granted during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the reporting period as calculated by applying the disclosed option pricing methodology.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (d)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Weighted average grant-date fair value of non-vested options outstanding.

No definition available.