National Health Investors (NHI) 8-K/A Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (Form S-3 No. 333-192338 and Form S-8 Nos. 333-186854 and 333-127179) of National Health Investors, Inc. and in the related Prospectuses of our report dated February 27, 2014, with respect to the combined financial statements of the NHI Portfolio as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012, included in this Current Report on Form 8-K, as amended (Form 8-K/A).

/s/Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, Illinois                                        

March 3, 2014