Business Segments Net Sales by Product (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	$ 1,455,461		$ 1,501,639		$ 1,424,564
North America/HME [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	693,285		746,782		738,441
North America/HME [Member] | Lifestyle Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	288,443		295,342		297,888
North America/HME [Member] | Mobility and Seating [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	257,886		284,633		294,792
North America/HME [Member] | Respiratory Therapy [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	134,892		153,468		131,260
North America/HME [Member] | Other Products and Services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	12,064	[1]	13,339	[1]	14,501	[1]
Institutional Products Group [Member] | Continuing Care [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	148,648		124,121		97,419
Europe [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	546,543		544,537		506,069
Europe [Member] | Lifestyle Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	285,707		293,425		289,577
Europe [Member] | Mobility and Seating [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	204,613		209,732		183,271
Europe [Member] | Respiratory Therapy [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	42,700		27,866		20,493
Europe [Member] | Other Products and Services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	13,523	[1]	13,514	[1]	12,728	[1]
Asia Pacific [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	66,985		86,199		82,635
Asia Pacific [Member] | Lifestyle Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	15,448		20,151		21,216
Asia Pacific [Member] | Mobility and Seating [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	31,410		36,483		38,226
Asia Pacific [Member] | Respiratory Therapy [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	700		682		1,021
Asia Pacific [Member] | Continuing Care [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	2,795		2,825		2,700
Asia Pacific [Member] | Other Products and Services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	$ 16,632	[1]	$ 26,058	[1]	$ 19,472	[1]

[1] Includes various services, including repair services, equipment rentals and external contracting.