Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets, Net (Schedule Of Activity Related To Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balances		$ 791,412,000	$ 791,412,000	$ 786,900,000	$ 733,900,000
Additions			114,100,000	4,500,000	58,000,000
Impairment	(5,800,000)	(565,000,000)	(570,800,000)
Adjustments related to acquisitions					(5,000,000)
Ending balances	334,695,000		334,695,000	791,412,000	786,900,000
Home Health [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balances		723,300,000	723,300,000	719,900,000	682,300,000
Additions				3,400,000	42,300,000
Impairment			(570,800,000)
Adjustments related to acquisitions					(4,700,000)
Ending balances	152,500,000		152,500,000	723,300,000	719,900,000
Hospice [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balances		68,100,000	68,100,000	67,000,000	51,600,000
Additions			114,100,000	1,100,000	15,700,000
Adjustments related to acquisitions					(300,000)
Ending balances	$ 182,200,000		$ 182,200,000	$ 68,100,000	$ 67,000,000