Convertible Debt Instrument, Conversion Ratio, Principal Amount, Basis

No definition available.

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

- Definition

Amount of current revolving borrowing capacity under the credit facility considering any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed (for example, borrowings may be limited by the amount of current assets), but without considering any amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_CreditFacilityCurrentRevolvingBorrowingCapacity
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the contractual minimum for a variable rate basis such as LIBOR for a debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This item represents the net book value of real estate pledged toward mortgage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This concept represents the outstanding balance of term loans.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in additional paid in capital (APIC) resulting from recognition of deferred taxes for convertible debt with a beneficial conversion feature.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying amount of debt identified as being convertible into another form of financial instrument (typically the entity's common stock) as of the balance sheet date, which originally required full repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the company.

+ References

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+ Details

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

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying amount of the equity component of convertible debt which may be settled in cash upon conversion.

+ References

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-Topic 470
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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The price per share of the conversion feature embedded in the debt instrument.

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+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Ratio applied to the conversion of debt instrument into equity with equity shares divided by debt principal amount.

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount by which the convertible debt's if-converted value exceeds its principle amount at the balance sheet date, regardless of whether the instrument is currently convertible. This element applies to public companies only.

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of equity instruments that the holder of the debt instrument would receive if the debt was converted to equity.

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, 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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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

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-Publisher FASB
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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of convertible debt securities using the if-converted method.

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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- Definition

Amount of the contractual principal due at the origination of the mortgage loan (face amount).

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 948
-SubTopic 310
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The stated interest rate on the mortgage loan receivable or the weighted average interest rate on a group of loans.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Indicates the number of mortgages under each classification.

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- Definition

The amount of debt that an Entity assumes in acquiring a business or in consideration for an asset received in a noncash (or part noncash) acquisition. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Dividend or interest rate associated with the financial or equity instrument issued as noncash or part noncash consideration for a business or asset acquired. Noncash are transactions that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments. Part noncash refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments.

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- Definition

The total amount of [all] liabilities that an Entity assumes in acquiring a business or in consideration for an asset received in a noncash (or part noncash) acquisition. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

+ References

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

Amount of cash outflow for cost from early extinguishment and prepayment of debt. Includes, but is not limited to, third-party cost, premium paid, and other fee paid to lender directly for debt extinguishment or debt prepayment. Excludes accrued interest.

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- Definition

The cash outflow paid to third parties in connection with debt origination, which will be amortized over the remaining maturity period of the associated long-term debt.

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- Definition

The cash inflow from the issuance of a long-term debt instrument which can be exchanged for a specified amount of another security, typically the entity's common stock, at the option of the issuer or the holder.

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- Definition

The remaining balance of debt issuance expenses that were capitalized and are being amortized against income over the lives of the respective bond issues. This does not include the amounts capitalized as part of the cost of the utility plant or asset.

+ References

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Debt (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
Debt (Narrative) (Details)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) properties shares	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) properties shares number_of_loans $ / shares	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) shares	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) properties shares	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Value of Liabilities Assumed		$ 598,000		$ 1,475,000
Proceeds from convertible senior notes		$ 197,575,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 800,000,000				$ 800,000,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Ratio		14.17
Convertible Debt Instrument, Conversion Ratio, Principal Amount, Basis		$ 1,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price \| $ / shares		$ 70.58
Debt Instrument, Convertible, If-converted Value in Excess of Principal		$ 24,118,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Number of Equity Instruments \| shares		2,799,150
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Conversion of Debt Securities \| shares	196,792	147,420	0		147,420	0
Convertible Debt	$ 193,477,000				$ 193,477,000		$ 195,283,000	$ 189,908,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Carrying Amount of Equity Component								$ 7,667,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage		3.90%
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense							$ 9,740,000
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt	(96,000)		$ 0		$ (96,000)	$ 0
Debt Instrument, Variable Rate Basis, Minimum					0.00%
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage		2000.00%
Credit Facility, Current Revolving Borrowing Capacity	$ 550,000,000				$ 550,000,000
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	207				207
Bank Term Loans [Member]
Term Loans, Outstanding Balance	$ 250,000,000				$ 250,000,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate					13000.00%
Debt Instrument, Name, Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.25%				3.25%
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs		$ 6,063,000
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense		2,769,000
Payment for Debt Extinguishment or Debt Prepayment Cost	$ 2,339,000
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt	96,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Convertible Debt with Conversion Feature	$ 337,000
Debt Instrument, Name, Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate					11500.00%
Unused balance of the unsecured revolving credit facility		$ 362,000,000
Debt Instrument, Name, Fannie Mae Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument, Term		10 years
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Face Amount of Mortgages		$ 78,084,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.79%
Number of Real Estate Properties		13
Net Book Value of Real Estate Pledged Toward Mortgage		$ 109,413,000
Debt Instrument, Name, HUD Mortgages [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties		10
Net Book Value of Real Estate Pledged Toward Mortgage		$ 53,446,000
Debt Instrument, Name, HUD Mortgages [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Interest Rate		4.30%
Debt Instrument, Name, HUD Mortgages [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Interest Rate		4.40%
Debt Instrument, HUD Mortgages, 2049 Maturity [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Number of Loans \| number_of_loans		9
Debt Instrument, HUD Mortgages, 2047 Maturity [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Number of Loans \| number_of_loans		1
Allocated to Debt [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Name, Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs		$ 5,788,000
Allocated to Equity [Member] \| Debt Instrument, Name, Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs		275,000
Bickford Senior Living [Member]
Number of Real Estate Properties \| properties	43				43
Middletown, OH [Member] \| Bickford Senior Living [Member]
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Value of Liabilities Assumed		$ 7,569,000
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Noncash Financial or Equity Instrument Consideration, Rate		2.90%
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Debt Assumed		$ 9,013,000