Business Segments Net Sales by Product (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	$ 1,352,359		$ 1,432,693		$ 1,482,429
North America/HME [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	607,094		692,657		746,782
North America/HME [Member] | Lifestyle Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	268,041		288,443		295,342
North America/HME [Member] | Mobility and Seating [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	152,650		257,886		284,633
North America/HME [Member] | Respiratory Therapy [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	178,157		134,892		153,468
North America/HME [Member] | Other Products and Services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	8,246	[1]	11,436	[1]	13,339	[1]
Institutional Products Group [Member] | Continuing Care [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	112,290		126,508		104,911
Europe [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	583,143		546,543		544,537
Europe [Member] | Lifestyle Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	303,225		285,707		293,425
Europe [Member] | Mobility and Seating [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	216,152		204,613		209,732
Europe [Member] | Respiratory Therapy [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	40,885		42,700		27,866
Europe [Member] | Other Products and Services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	22,881	[1]	13,523	[1]	13,514	[1]
Asia Pacific [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	49,832		66,985		86,199
Asia Pacific [Member] | Lifestyle Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	12,023		15,448		20,151
Asia Pacific [Member] | Mobility and Seating [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	26,737		31,410		36,483
Asia Pacific [Member] | Respiratory Therapy [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	1,290		700		682
Asia Pacific [Member] | Continuing Care [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	2,785		2,795		2,825
Asia Pacific [Member] | Other Products and Services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	$ 6,997	[1]	$ 16,632	[1]	$ 26,058	[1]

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