Commitments. Contingencies and Uncertainties (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025 USD ($) operator leaseAgreement property
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Loans and leases agreement	$ 151.3
Development commitments for construction and renovation	23.4
Amount funded toward the development commitments	5.9
Contingent lease inducement commitments and contingent consideration of acquisitions	$ 16.9
Loans Receivable
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of operators/tenants \| operator	8
Notes Receivable Remain Unfunded
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Mortgage and other notes receivable, net	$ 100.7
Development Commitment
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of properties \| property	6
Lease Inducement
Commitment and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of leases \| leaseAgreement	4

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

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

- Definition

Lessor, Number Of Lease Agreements

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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- Details

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Period Type:

- Details

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- Details

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Data Type:	na
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- Details

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