Annual Lease Cap

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_AnnualLeaseCap
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	dtr-types1:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Asset Acquisition, Rent Deferral

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Asset Acquisition, Rent Deferral Deduction.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This item represents the minimum rate a lease payment escalates each year.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_LeaseEscalatorMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	dtr-types1:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Lease, Maximum Capital Improvements Commitment

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Lease, Operating Lease, Rental Revenue Increase At Lease Rate

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_LeaseOperatingLeaseRentalRevenueIncreaseAtLeaseRate
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Lessee, Operating Lease, Maturity Date Extension

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Lessor, Number Of Lease Agreements

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This item represents the original cost of corporate assets that are not part of the investment portfolio.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number of Board of Directors Members Also Members of NHC Board of Directors

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number of Leases Comprising Real Estate Properties

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number of Real Estate Properties Subject to New Leases

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Operating Lease, Annual Rent Increase

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the rental revenue rate earned during the period from lessee-operators based on revenues generated in their operations, generally in excess of a base amount. Generally stipulated in the lease agreement, it usually will provide for a fixed percentage of revenue to be paid as additional (or possibly only) rent due the lessor, and may be based on gross revenues, net revenues, or multiple variations thereof.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nhi_PercentageRentRate
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	dtr-types1:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The element represents the original cost of all portfolio leased assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

For an entity that discloses a concentration risk in relation to quantitative amount, which serves as the "benchmark" (or denominator) in the equation, this concept represents the concentration percentage derived from the division.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 42
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-42

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Section 50
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-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482907/825-10-50-21

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 275
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 20
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482861/275-10-50-20

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount excluding accrued interest, of allowance for credit loss on financing receivable. Excludes net investment in lease.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479344/326-20-45-1

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of lease income from operating, direct financing, and sales-type leases. Includes, but is not limited to, variable lease payments, interest income, profit (loss) recognized at commencement, and lease payments paid and payable to lessor.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479773/842-30-50-5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LeaseIncome
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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

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

- Definition

The number of states the entity operates in as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash outflow for acquisition of or capital improvements to properties held for investment (operating, managed, leased) or for use.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (c)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-13

+ Details

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

- Definition

Cash payments to lessor's for use of assets under operating leases.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 25
-Subparagraph (g)
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 230
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-25

+ Details

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

- Definition

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.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 976
-SubTopic 310
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477332/976-310-50-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Difference between actual rental income due and rental income recognized on a straight-line basis.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (a)
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 230
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-28

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis=nhi_BickfordSeniorLivingAcquisitionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LeaseContractualTermAxis=nhi_LeaseExtendedUntil2026Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LeaseContractualTermAxis=nhi_NHC1991LeaseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis=nhi_RevenueAsOfTotalExceeds10Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis=us-gaap_GeographicConcentrationRiskMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=stpr_SC
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis=nhi_InvestmentConsiderationBenchmarkMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=stpr_TX
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=nhi_SeniorHousingOperatingPortfolioMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesByIndustryAxis=nhi_SubleasedFacilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Period Type:

Investment Activity (Tenant Concentration Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2024 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2024 property	Sep. 30, 2024 state	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2024 lease	Sep. 30, 2024 facility	Sep. 30, 2024 leaseAgreement	Sep. 30, 2024 boardMember	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)
Real Estate [Line Items]
Cost of corporate office		$ 2,600		$ 2,600	$ 2,600	$ 2,600
Credit loss reserve		(19,411)			(19,411)									$ (15,476)
Straight-line rent adjustments					(2,066)	(6,011)
Rental income		63,318		62,255	191,265	188,505
Number of board of directors \| boardMember													2
Bickford Senior Living Acquisition
Real Estate [Line Items]
Asset acquisition, rent deferral deduction					2,500
Lease Extended Until 2026
Real Estate [Line Items]
Lease escalator minimum	2.00%
Annual lease cap	3.00%
Senior Living Communities, LLC (“Senior Living”)
Real Estate [Line Items]
Real estate properties \| property							10
Lease comprising properties \| lease										2
Leases extended maturity			2 years
Payments for capital improvements					10,000
Lease rate									0.085
Straight-line rent adjustments					(400)	(900)
Rental income					39,980	38,466
Bickford
Real Estate [Line Items]
Properties							1				39
Number of leases \| leaseAgreement												4
Rental income					31,233	29,280
Maximum capital improvements commitment	$ 8,000
Annual rent increase	8.00%
Rent deferral		14,000			14,000
Bickford \| Bickford Senior Living Acquisition
Real Estate [Line Items]
Payments for rent		1,100		$ 800	4,000	1,300
Bickford \| Lease Extended Until 2026
Real Estate [Line Items]
Rental income	$ 34,500
National HealthCare Corporation (“NHC”)
Real Estate [Line Items]
Straight-line rent adjustments					(200)	(900)
Rental income					$ 30,426	$ 28,159
National HealthCare Corporation (“NHC”) \| NHC - 1991 Lease
Real Estate [Line Items]
Percentage rent rate					4.00%
Revenue as % of Total, Exceeds 10%
Real Estate [Line Items]
Number of states in which entity operates \| state								2
Geographic Concentration Risk \| South Carolina \| Investment Consideration Benchmark
Real Estate [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage					12.10%
Geographic Concentration Risk \| Texas \| Investment Consideration Benchmark
Real Estate [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage					10.60%
Independent Living Facility
Real Estate [Line Items]
Number of states in which entity operates \| state								8
Properties \| property							3
Independent Living Facility \| SHOP
Real Estate [Line Items]
Real estate investment property, portfolio assets		$ 354,900			$ 354,900
Properties \| property							15
Skilled Nursing Facility
Real Estate [Line Items]
Properties \| property							32
Skilled Nursing Facility \| National HealthCare Corporation (“NHC”) \| Subleased Facilities
Real Estate [Line Items]
Properties \| property							4