Long-Term Debt (Details 2)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Increase in Gentiva's permitted maximum consolidated leverage ratio under Amendment No.3
March 31, 2012 to September 30, 2014	6.25%
Each fiscal quarter thereafter	5.75%

Maximum consolidated leverage ratio for period indicated pursuant to Amendment No. 3.

No definition available.

Name:	gtiv_MaximumLeverageRatioPeriodFive
Namespace Prefix:	gtiv_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration