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

The concept represents a total loan term in number of years

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_FinancingReceviableTerm
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

This concept reflects the interest rate to be received on a loan receivable.

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_NoteReceivableInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Number of Joint Ventures

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_NumberOfJointVentures
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

This item represents the number of operators or tenants.

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_NumberOfOperatorsTenants
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Operating Lease, Lease Income, Rent Deferral Payments

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncomeRentDeferralPayments
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Operating Lease, Pandemic Deferrals

No definition available.

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

Operating Lease, Variable Lease Income, Concessions

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_OperatingLeaseVariableLeaseIncomeConcessions
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of direct write-downs of accounts receivable charged against the allowance.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124255953&loc=SL82919249-210447

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableWriteOffs
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of gain (loss) on termination of lease before expiration of lease term.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 40
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123386189&loc=SL77918607-209975

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

Amount awarded from other party in judgment or settlement of litigation.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmountAwardedFromOtherParty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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_LossContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The number of real estate properties owned as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Cash received for the sale of real estate that is not part of an investing activity during the current period.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3179-108585

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The cash inflow from proceeds From Sales of Wholly Owned Real Estate and Real Estate Acquired in Settlement of Loans.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3179-108585

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfWhollyOwnedRealEstateAndRealEstateAcquiredInSettlementOfLoans
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The cash outflow to repay long-term debt that is wholly or partially secured by collateral. Excludes repayments of tax exempt secured debt.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3291-108585

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

This element represents money paid in advance to protect the provider of a product or service, such as a lessor, against damage or nonpayment by the buyer or tenant (lessee) during the term of the agreement. Such damages may include physical damage to the property, theft of property, and other contractual breaches. Security deposits held may be interest or noninterest bearing.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.15(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

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

Name:	us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemAxis=nhi_COVID19Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

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

Name:	us-gaap_CreditLossStatusAxis=nhi_AssessedNotProbableToOccurMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_ContingentConsiderationByTypeAxis=us-gaap_NotesReceivableMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_NegotiationsToSaleMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_AssetHeldForSaleIn2022Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

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

Name:	srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=nhi_FacilitiesTransitionedToOtherOperatorsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=nhi_FacilitiesTransitionedToSHOPPartnershipVenturesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	nhi_LeaseConcessionsAxis=nhi_LeasePaymentDeferralMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_RentDeferredSecondQuarterOf2022Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: