Discontinued Operations - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 18, 2013	Aug. 06, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Aug. 29, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net earnings from discontinued operations	$ 1,596,000	$ 6,442,000	$ 15,910,000
Total expenses related to discontinued operations	8,801,000
Payments for expenses related to discontinued operations	7,790,000
Invacare Supply Group
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from divestiture of businesses				150,800,000
Gain on sale of businesses (pre-tax)		59,402,000
Net sales of discontinued operations		18,498,000	341,606,000
Net earnings from discontinued operations		402,000	16,238,000
Champion Manufacturing, Inc.
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from divestiture of businesses					45,000,000
Gain on sale of businesses (pre-tax)						22,761,000
Net sales of discontinued operations		15,857,000	22,767,000
Net earnings from discontinued operations	3,156,000	4,274,000
Interest expense allocated to discontinued operations	449,000	792,000
Goodwill allocated to discontinued operations					16,205,000
Altimate Medical, Inc.
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from divestiture of businesses							23,000,000
Gain on sale of businesses (pre-tax)								17,069,000
Net sales of discontinued operations	11,778,000	17,854,000	16,876,000
Net earnings from discontinued operations	2,796,000	5,118,000	4,628,000
Interest expense allocated to discontinued operations	$ 202,000	$ 323,000	$ 378,000