    <SEC-DOCUMENT>0000877860-20-000044-index.html : 20200320
    <SEC-HEADER>0000877860-20-000044.hdr.sgml : 20200320
    <ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20200320162707
    ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000877860-20-000044
    CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DEF 14A
    PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		8
    CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20200506
    FILED AS OF DATE:		20200320
    DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20200320
    EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20200320

    FILER:

    	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

    	FILING VALUES:
    		FORM TYPE:		DEF 14A
    		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
    		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10822
    		FILM NUMBER:		20732287

    	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>DEF 14A
    <SEQUENCE>1
    <FILENAME>a2020def14a.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>DEF 14A
    <TEXT>
    Document 1 - file: a2020def14a.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>2
    <FILENAME>nationalhealthinvestorsinc.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 2 - file: nationalhealthinvestorsinc.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>3
    <FILENAME>nationalhealthinvestorsinc1.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 3 - file: nationalhealthinvestorsinc1.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>4
    <FILENAME>nationalhealthinvestorsinc2.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 4 - file: nationalhealthinvestorsinc2.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>5
    <FILENAME>nationalhealthinvestorsinc3.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 5 - file: nationalhealthinvestorsinc3.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>6
    <FILENAME>nationalhealthinvestorsinc4.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 6 - file: nationalhealthinvestorsinc4.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>7
    <FILENAME>nationalhealthinvestorsinc5.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 7 - file: nationalhealthinvestorsinc5.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>8
    <FILENAME>nhilogocmyk2a211.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 8 - file: nhilogocmyk2a211.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    </SEC-DOCUMENT>