Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares	3,054	3,131	3,259	3,307
Computations of the basic and diluted per share amounts
Net income (loss) attributable to Gentiva shareholders	$ 3,720	$ (523)	$ (197,110)	$ 18,226
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	31,037	30,423	30,921	30,496
Shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options and under stock plans for employees and directors using the treasury stock method	495	0	0	116
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	31,532	30,423	30,921	30,612
Basic earnings per common share
Net income (loss) attributable to Gentiva shareholders	$ 0.12	$ (0.02)	$ (6.38)	$ 0.60
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income (loss) attributable to Gentiva shareholders	$ 0.12	$ (0.02)	$ (6.38)	$ 0.60
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares	3,054	2,715	2,947	2,879
Performance Shares [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares	0	88	80	90
Restricted Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares	0	328	232	338