<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-20-007738.txt : 20200225
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-20-007738.hdr.sgml : 20200225
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20200225191129
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-20-007738
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20200221
FILED AS OF DATE:		20200225
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20200225

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Mendelsohn D. Eric
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001410716

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10822
		FILM NUMBER:		20652810

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O EMERITUS CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		3131 ELLIOTT AVENUE, SUITE 500
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98121

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000877860
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				621470956
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		222 ROBERT ROSE DRIVE
		CITY:			MURFREESBORO
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37129
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6158909100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		222 ROBERT ROSE DRIVE
		CITY:			MURFREESBORO
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37129
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2020-02-21</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000877860</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NHI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001410716</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Mendelsohn D. Eric</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>222 ROBERT ROSE DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MURFREESBORO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>37129</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>CEO and President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2020-02-24</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>90.5826</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>44256</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to Buy) 2-21-2020</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>90.79</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2020-02-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>41666</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>90.79</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2020-02-21</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2025-02-21</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>41666</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>41666</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to Buy) 2-21-2020</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>90.79</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2020-02-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>41666</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>90.79</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2021-02-21</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2025-02-21</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>41666</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>41666</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to Buy) 2-21-2020</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>90.79</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2020-02-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>41668</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>90.79</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2022-02-21</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2025-02-21</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>41668</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>41668</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to Buy) 2019</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>79.96</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2020-02-21</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2024-02-21</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>41666</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>41666</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Right to Buy) 2019</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>79.96</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2021-02-21</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2024-02-21</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>41668</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>41668</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Kimberly V. Ouimet, by limited power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2020-02-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>doc1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>POWER OF ATTORNEY (PUBLIC): MENDELSOHN POA
<TEXT>
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd">
<html>
	<head>
		<!-- Document created using Wdesk 1 -->
		<!-- Copyright 2015 Workiva -->
		<title>Preview | Mendelsohn POA</title>
	</head>
	<body style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">
<a name="sc8a9b95e17ed4c89ad6b699593be47af"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:4px;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold;">POWER OF ATTORNEY</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:0px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:8px;text-indent:46px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints each of Justin Hutchens, Kimberly Ouimet, Jonathan Stanley and Susan V. Sidwell signing singly, the undersigned's true and lawful attorney-in-fact to:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:1px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-left:54px;text-align:justify;text-indent:46px;"><font style="text-align:justify;font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;padding-right:42px;">(1)</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">execute for and on behalf of the undersigned, in the undersigned's capacity as an officer and/or director of NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC. (the "Company"), Forms 3, 4, and 5 in accordance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules thereunder;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:1px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-left:54px;text-align:justify;text-indent:46px;"><font style="text-align:justify;font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;padding-right:42px;">(2)</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">do and perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned which may be necessary or desirable to complete and execute any such Form 3, 4, or 5, complete and execute any amendment or amendments thereto, and timely file such form with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange or similar authority;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:1px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-left:54px;text-align:justify;text-indent:46px;"><font style="text-align:justify;font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;padding-right:42px;">(3)</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">execute for and on behalf of the undersigned a Form ID and any subsequent filings, submissions or correspondence relating thereto; and</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:1px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-left:54px;text-align:justify;text-indent:48px;"><font style="text-align:justify;font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;padding-right:41px;">(4)</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">take any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the foregoing which, in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to, in the best interest of, or legally required by, the undersigned, it being understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve in such attorney-in-fact's discretion.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:1px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:6px;text-indent:46px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">The undersigned hereby grants to each such attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform any and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary, or proper to be done in the exercise of any of the rights and powers herein granted, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if personally present, with full power of substitution or revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact, or such attorney-in-fact's substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this power of attorney and the rights and powers herein granted. The undersigned acknowledges that the foregoing attorneys-in-fact, in serving in such capacity at the request of the undersigned, are not assuming, nor is the Company assuming, any of the undersigned's responsibilities to comply with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:1px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:6px;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">This Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until the undersigned is no longer required to file Forms 3, 4, and 5 with respect to the undersigned's holdings of and transactions in securities issued by the Company, unless earlier revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to the foregoing attorneys-in-fact. This Power of Attorney replaces and revokes any and all prior powers of attorney granted by the undersigned, in the  undersigned's capacity  as an officer and/or director of the Company, relating to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;padding-left:6px;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:0px;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 14th day of January, 2015.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:105px;text-indent:240px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:336px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;text-decoration:underline;">/s/D. Eric Mendelsohn</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:336px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Signature</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:336px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:336px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:0px;text-align:left;padding-left:336px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;text-decoration:underline;">D. Eric Mendelsohn   </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:4px;text-align:left;padding-left:336px;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">Print Name</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div>	</body>
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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
