Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share (Calculation of Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Numerator: Income (loss):
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (5,947)	$ (581)	$ 381	$ 1,348	$ 1,438	$ (958)	$ (2,150)	$ (74)	$ (4,799)	$ (1,744)	$ 2,752
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes									(28)	(67)	(1,128)
NET INCOME (LOSS) FOR DIVERSICARE HEALTHCARE SERVICES, INC. COMMON SHAREHOLDERS									$ (4,827)	$ (1,811)	$ 1,624
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)									6,279	6,199	6,100
Basic net income per common share
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.94)	$ (0.09)	$ 0.06	$ 0.22	$ 0.24	$ (0.16)	$ (0.35)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.76)	$ (0.28)	$ 0.45
Income (loss) from discontinued operations Operating income (loss), net of taxes (in dollars per share)									(0.01)	(0.01)	(0.18)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	(0.01)	(0.01)	(0.01)	(0.18)
Basic net income (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	(0.94)	(0.09)	0.06	0.22	0.24	(0.16)	(0.35)	(0.02)	$ (0.77)	$ (0.29)	$ 0.27
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)									6,279	6,199	6,100
Incremental shares from assumed exercise of options, SOSARS and Restricted Stock Units (in shares)									0	0	215
Denominator: Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding: (in shares)									6,279	6,199	6,315
Diluted net income per common share
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(0.94)	(0.09)	0.06	0.21	0.24	(0.16)	(0.35)	(0.01)	$ (0.76)	$ (0.28)	$ 0.44
Income (loss) from discontinued operations Operating income (loss), net of taxes (in dollars per share)									(0.01)	(0.01)	(0.18)
Discontinued operations, net of taxes (in dollars per share)	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	(0.01)	(0.01)	(0.01)	(0.18)
Diluted net income (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.94)	$ (0.09)	$ 0.06	$ 0.21	$ 0.24	$ (0.16)	$ (0.35)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.77)	$ (0.29)	$ 0.26