Commitments. Contingencies and Uncertainties (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($) property operator leaseAgreement
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Loans and leases agreement	$ 138.2
Development commitments for construction and renovation	33.5
Amount funded toward the development commitments	18.4
Amount funded on real estate investments	1.0
Contingent lease inducement commitments and contingent consideration of acquisitions	6.9
Discovery PropCo
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Development commitments for construction and renovation	$ 2.0
Loans Receivable
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of operators/tenants \| operator	7
Notes Receivable Remain Unfunded
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	$ 63.4
Development Commitment
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of properties \| property	6
Lease Inducement
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of leases \| leaseAgreement	3

Commitment and Contingencies

No definition available.

Name:	nhi_CommitmentAndContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	nhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the maximum amount of a contingent funding commitment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- 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 maximum commitment for all active development projects.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This item represents the number of operators or tenants.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number Of Properties

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The current amount of expenditures for a real estate project that has not yet been completed.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(1)(d))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478777/944-210-S99-1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(1)(6))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478777/944-210-S99-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DevelopmentInProcess
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Reflects the amount of cash required to fully fund agreements to provide advances to borrowers and lessees at stated interest rates.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 825
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478898/942-825-50-2

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 825
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478898/942-825-50-1

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amortized cost, after allowance for credit loss, of financing receivable. Excludes financing receivable covered under loss sharing agreement and net investment in lease.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481990/310-10-45-2

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-04(5)(b))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479170/946-210-S99-1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479319/326-20-50-5

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(3))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478777/944-210-S99-1

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=nhi_NotesReceivableRemainUnfundedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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- Details

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Data Type:	na
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Period Type:

- Details

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Period Type: