Business Segments - (Net Sales by Product) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product		$ 1,142,338	$ 1,270,163	$ 1,334,505
North America/HME
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product		474,196	507,867	589,240
Institutional Products Group | Continuing Care
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product		87,137	102,796	112,290
Europe
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product		536,463	610,555	583,143
Asia/Pacific
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product		44,542	48,945	49,832
Operating Segments | North America/HME | Lifestyle Products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product		222,944	239,625	267,934
Operating Segments | North America/HME | Mobility and Seating
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product		117,232	115,776	134,995
Operating Segments | North America/HME | Respiratory Therapy
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product		130,349	149,063	178,065
Operating Segments | North America/HME | Other Products and Services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	[1]	3,671	3,403	8,246
Operating Segments | Europe | Lifestyle Products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product		275,932	322,370	303,225
Operating Segments | Europe | Mobility and Seating
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product		208,730	228,163	216,152
Operating Segments | Europe | Respiratory Therapy
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product		36,373	40,661	40,885
Operating Segments | Europe | Other Products and Services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	[1]	15,428	19,361	22,881
Operating Segments | Asia/Pacific | Lifestyle Products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product		10,277	11,772	12,023
Operating Segments | Asia/Pacific | Mobility and Seating
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product		25,655	28,174	26,737
Operating Segments | Asia/Pacific | Respiratory Therapy
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product		807	1,286	1,290
Operating Segments | Asia/Pacific | Continuing Care
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product		3,115	3,956	2,785
Operating Segments | Asia/Pacific | Other Products and Services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales by product	[1]	$ 4,688	$ 3,757	$ 6,997

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