Operating Income of Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	$ 339,175,000	$ 370,833,000
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	192,504,000	208,506,000
General and administrative expenses	128,400,000	133,900,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	3,967,000	5,863,000
Depreciation and amortization	10,123,000	10,054,000
Operating expenses	335,006,000	358,376,000
Operating (loss) income	4,169,000	12,457,000
Home Health [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	272,300,000	301,400,000
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	157,100,000	172,000,000
General and administrative expenses	84,700,000	89,300,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,100,000	5,000,000
Depreciation and amortization	2,900,000	3,500,000
Operating expenses	246,800,000	269,800,000
Operating (loss) income	25,500,000	31,600,000
Hospice [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	66,900,000	69,400,000
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	35,400,000	36,500,000
General and administrative expenses	17,400,000	16,600,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,900,000	800,000
Depreciation and amortization	500,000	300,000
Operating expenses	55,200,000	54,200,000
Operating (loss) income	11,700,000	15,200,000
All Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	0	0
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	0	0
General and administrative expenses	26,300,000	28,000,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	6,700,000	6,300,000
Operating expenses	33,000,000	34,300,000
Operating (loss) income	$ (33,000,000)	$ (34,300,000)