<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.6.0.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>402</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>321</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>74</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>9</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00090 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00100 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00200 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00205 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00400 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00500 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10101 - Disclosure - Summary of Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10201 - Disclosure - ACCRUED LIABILITIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureAccruedLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCRUED LIABILITIES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10301 - Disclosure - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentNet</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10401 - Disclosure - Revolving Credit Facility</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureRevolvingCreditFacility</Role>
      <ShortName>Revolving Credit Facility</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10501 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10601 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10701 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10801 - Disclosure - RETIREMENT PLAN</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureRetirementPlan</Role>
      <ShortName>RETIREMENT PLAN</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10901 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11001 - Disclosure - Segment Data</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSegmentData</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Data</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11101 - Disclosure - Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11201 - Disclosure - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA - (UNAUDITED)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureQuarterlyFinancialDataUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA - (UNAUDITED)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11301 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>20102 - Disclosure - Summary of Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30103 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30203 - Disclosure - ACCRUED LIABILITIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureAccruedLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCRUED LIABILITIES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureAccruedLiabilities</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30303 - Disclosure - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentNetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentNet</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30603 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30703 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquity</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30903 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31003 - Disclosure - Segment Data (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSegmentDataTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Data (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSegmentData</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31103 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitions</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31203 - Disclosure - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA - (UNAUDITED) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureQuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedTables</Role>
      <ShortName>QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA - (UNAUDITED) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureQuarterlyFinancialDataUnaudited</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40101 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Basis of Consolidation - (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesBasisOfConsolidationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Basis of Consolidation - (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40102 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Cash, Property equipment - (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesCashPropertyEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Cash, Property equipment - (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40103 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40104 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Capitalization Policies - (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesCapitalizationPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Capitalization Policies - (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40105 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Insurance Programs - (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesInsuranceProgramsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Insurance Programs - (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40106 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Seasonality - (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesSeasonalityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Seasonality - (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40107 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Net Service Revenues - (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesNetServiceRevenuesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Net Service Revenues - (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40108 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Revenue and Receivable Concentrations - (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesRevenueAndReceivableConcentrationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Revenue and Receivable Concentrations - (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40109 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts by Payor Mix and Related Aging - (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAllowanceForUncollectibleAccountsByPayorMixAndRelatedAgingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts by Payor Mix and Related Aging - (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40110 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Weighted Average Shares - (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesWeightedAverageSharesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Weighted Average Shares - (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40201 - Disclosure - ACCRUED LIABILITIES (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureAccruedLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCRUED LIABILITIES (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureAccruedLiabilitiesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40301 - Disclosure - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentNetTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40401 - Disclosure - Revolving Credit Facility (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureRevolvingCreditFacilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Revolving Credit Facility (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureRevolvingCreditFacility</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40601 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40701 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Employee Stock Incentive Plans - (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityEmployeeStockIncentivePlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Employee Stock Incentive Plans - (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40702 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Changes in award shares outstanding - (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityChangesInAwardSharesOutstandingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Changes in award shares outstanding - (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40703 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Information about stock options - (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityInformationAboutStockOptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Information about stock options - (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40704 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Employee Stock Purchase and Directors Deferred Compensation Plan - (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityEmployeeStockPurchaseAndDirectorsDeferredCompensationPlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Employee Stock Purchase and Directors Deferred Compensation Plan - (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40801 - Disclosure - RETIREMENT PLAN (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureRetirementPlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>RETIREMENT PLAN (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureRetirementPlan</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40901 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Detail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41001 - Disclosure - SEGMENT DATA (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSegmentDataDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT DATA (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41101 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41201 - Disclosure - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA - (UNAUDITED) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureQuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA - (UNAUDITED) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureQuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41301 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEvents</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="afam-20161230.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41401 - Disclosure - SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.almostfamily.com/role/DisclosureScheduleIiValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>afam-20161230.xml</File>
    <File>afam-20161230.xsd</File>
    <File>afam-20161230_cal.xml</File>
    <File>afam-20161230_def.xml</File>
    <File>afam-20161230_lab.xml</File>
    <File>afam-20161230_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
