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This item represents the amount of a contingent funding commitment which has been funded.

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_ContingentFundingCommitmentAmountFunded
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The concept represents a total loan term in number of years

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_FinancingReceviableTerm
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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
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This item represents the maximum commitment for all active development projects.

No definition available.

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

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_NoteReceivableInterestRate
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Data Type:	dtr-types1:percentItemType
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Number of Joint Ventures

No definition available.

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

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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Amount awarded from other party in judgment or settlement of litigation.

No definition available.

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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.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 460
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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
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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
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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.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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The cash inflow from proceeds From Sales of Wholly Owned Real Estate and Real Estate Acquired in Settlement of Loans.

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-Topic 230
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The cash outflow to repay long-term debt that is wholly or partially secured by collateral. Excludes repayments of tax exempt secured debt.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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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.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_SecurityDepositLiability
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Data Type:	na
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Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=nhi_BickfordSeniorLivingMember
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Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_CreditLossStatusAxis=nhi_AssessedNotProbableToOccurMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_ContingentConsiderationByTypeAxis=us-gaap_NotesReceivableMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_NegotiationsToSaleMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember
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Data Type:	na
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Data Type:	na
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Name:	srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=nhi_FacilitiesTransitionedToSHOPPartnershipVenturesMember
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Data Type:	na
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