Business Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2012
Segment information about the Company's operations
Total net revenues	$ 414,424		$ 427,691		$ 830,015		$ 863,343
Operating contribution	56,354		71,529		113,963		129,887
Goodwill and other long-lived asset impairment					(224,320)	[1]
Depreciation and amortization	(4,730)		(7,292)		(9,511)		(14,722)
Gain on sale of businesses	0		5,447		0		5,447
Interest expense and other, net	(22,148)		(22,655)		(44,441)		(44,157)	[2]
Income (loss) before income taxes	11,392		23,818		(201,080)		31,400
Total assets	1,256,224		1,479,021		1,256,224		1,479,021		1,510,934
Home Health [Member]
Segment information about the Company's operations
Total net revenues	235,216		235,687		471,277		475,651
Operating contribution	29,917		36,383	[3]	60,105		62,259	[3]
Segment assets	247,164		235,918		247,164		235,918
Hospice [Member]
Segment information about the Company's operations
Total net revenues	179,208		192,004		358,738		387,692
Operating contribution	26,437	[3]	35,146	[3]	53,858	[3]	67,628	[3]
Segment assets	632,773	[1]	873,878		632,773	[1]	873,878
Home Health and Hospice [Member]
Segment information about the Company's operations
Segment assets	879,937		1,109,796		879,937		1,109,796
Corporate [Member]
Segment information about the Company's operations
Corporate expenses	(18,084)	[3]	(23,211)	[3]	(36,771)	[3]	(45,055)	[3]
Segment assets	$ 376,287	[1]	$ 369,225		$ 376,287	[1]	$ 369,225

[1] (2)At March 31, 2013, the Company performed an interim impairment test of its Hospice reporting unit. Based on the results of the interim impairment test, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge relating to goodwill of approximately $220.8 million. As part of that analysis, the Company reviewed the valuation of its owned real estate utilized in the Hospice business. The analysis indicated that two of the Company's hospice inpatient units had estimated fair values lower than their carrying values and, as such, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $1.9 million. See Note 9.In addition, the Company conducted an evaluation of the various systems used to support its field operations. In connection with that review, the Company made a strategic decision to replace its business intelligence software platform and, as such, recorded a non-cash impairment charge, related to developed software, of approximately $1.6 million.Hospice and corporate assets were reduced by $220.8 million and $3.5 million, respectively, as a result of the impairment.

[2] (3) For the first six months of 2012, interest expense and other, net included charges of $0.5 million relating to the write-off of deferred debt issuance costs associated with the revolving credit facility. See Note 2 for additional information.

[3] (1)For the second quarter and first six months of 2013, the Company recorded charges relating to cost savings initiatives and other restructuring costs, acquisition and integration costs and legal settlements of $0.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively.For the first six months of 2012, the Company recorded charges relating to cost savings initiatives and other restructuring costs, acquisition and integration costs and legal settlements of $5.4 million.The charges were reflected as follows for segment reporting purposes (in millions): Second Quarter First Six Months 2013 2012 2013 2012Home Health$— $(0.1) $— $5.7Hospice0.7 0.3 0.7 0.1Corporate expenses0.1 (0.2) 0.2 (0.4)Total$0.8 $— $0.9 $5.4