Exit Activities (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) Agencies
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Assets	$ 0	$ 184	$ 2,967
Proceeds from Divestiture of Business	$ 0	$ 413	$ 4,233
Home Health [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of care centers consolidated | Agencies			21
Number of care centers closed | Agencies			22
Hospice [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of care centers consolidated | Agencies			4
Number of care centers closed | Agencies			4
Severance For Regional Leadership And Corporate Support [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other Restructuring Costs			$ 3,400
Severance For Former Executive [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other Restructuring Costs			2,300
Wyoming and Idaho Care Centers [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Assets			2,100
Proceeds from Divestiture of Business			$ 5,000
Wyoming and Idaho Care Centers [Member] | Home Health [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of care centers sold | Agencies			5
Wyoming and Idaho Care Centers [Member] | Hospice [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of care centers sold | Agencies			4
Available For Sale [Member] | Home Health [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Assets			$ 800
Proceeds from Divestiture of Business			$ 800
Number of care centers consolidated | Agencies			1
Number of care centers sold | Agencies			2
Hospice Inpatient Unit [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Assets			$ (500)
Number of care centers closed | Agencies			1
2014 Exit Activity [Member] | Lease Termination [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other Restructuring Costs			$ 2,100
2014 Exit Activity [Member] | Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other Restructuring Costs			2,100
2014 Exit Activity [Member] | Intangibles Write Off [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other Restructuring Costs			$ 2,200