Segment Information (Schedule Of Segment Reporting Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	$ 370,833,000	$ 359,314,000
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	208,506,000	187,304,000
General and administrative expenses	133,900,000	129,600,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	5,863,000	3,114,000
Depreciation and amortization	10,054,000	9,180,000
Operating expenses	358,376,000	329,192,000
Operating (loss) income	12,457,000	30,122,000
Home Health [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	301,400,000	320,800,000
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	172,000,000	167,100,000
General and administrative expenses	70,400,000	73,500,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	5,100,000	3,100,000
Depreciation and amortization	3,200,000	3,000,000
Operating expenses	250,700,000	246,700,000
Operating (loss) income	50,700,000	74,100,000
Hospice [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	69,400,000	38,500,000
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	36,500,000	20,200,000
General and administrative expenses	12,700,000	7,900,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	800,000
Depreciation and amortization	300,000	100,000
Operating expenses	50,300,000	28,200,000
Operating (loss) income	19,100,000	10,300,000
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
General and administrative expenses	50,800,000	48,200,000
Depreciation and amortization	6,500,000	6,100,000
Operating expenses	57,300,000	54,300,000
Operating (loss) income	$ (57,300,000)	$ (54,300,000)