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

No definition available.

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

- Definition

Amount of allowance for credit loss on financing receivable. Excludes allowance for financing receivable covered under loss sharing agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11B
-Subparagraph (c)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121611835&loc=SL6953423-111524

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(7)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121599878&loc=SL82895884-210446

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121599337&loc=SL82919249-210447

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (f)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121599337&loc=SL82919249-210447

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121593590&loc=d3e4428-111522

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

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

- 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 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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/otherTransitionRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 20
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121549951&loc=d3e39896-112707

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount before accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_SeniorLivingCommunitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_HolidayAcquisitionHoldingsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_BickfordSeniorLivingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_NationalHealthcareCorporationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_LessThan10OperatorsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Real Estate (Schedule of Tenant Concentrations) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($) properties	Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($) properties	Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Number of Properties \| properties	227		227
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 3,247,138		$ 3,247,138		$ 3,074,846
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	300,130		300,130		$ 340,143
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	77,917	$ 72,578	154,444	$ 143,531
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	$ 5,189		$ 5,189
Senior Living Communities [Member]
Number of Properties \| properties	10		10
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 573,631		$ 573,631
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	$ 57,675		57,675
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue			$ 26,140	$ 23,962
Percentage of Continuing Revenue			16.00%	16.00%
Holiday Acquisition Holdings [Member]
Number of Properties \| properties	26		26
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 531,378		$ 531,378
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	$ 0		0
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue			$ 20,353	$ 20,106
Percentage of Continuing Revenue			12.00%	13.00%
Bickford Senior Living [Member]
Number of Properties \| properties	48		48
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 534,376		$ 534,376
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	$ 32,744		32,744
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue			$ 27,392	$ 26,122
Percentage of Continuing Revenue			16.00%	17.00%
National Healthcare Corporation [Member]
Number of Properties \| properties	42		42
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 171,297		$ 171,297
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	0		0
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue			$ 18,904	$ 19,209
Percentage of Continuing Revenue			11.00%	12.00%
Less than 10% Operators [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,433,880		$ 1,433,880
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	$ 214,900		214,900
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue			$ 74,482	$ 64,805