Business Developments and Other Significant Transactions (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands					3 Months Ended
	Nov. 01, 2016 USD ($) facility option bed	Oct. 01, 2016 USD ($) facility bed	May 31, 2016 USD ($)	Feb. 26, 2016 USD ($) bed	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) center bed	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Aug. 15, 2016 facility
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of nursing centers | center					76
Number of licensed nursing beds					8,453
Gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate | $					$ 733			$ 0
Avon Ohio, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Lease termination costs | $							$ 2,008
Lease termination fees, future annual payment amounts | $			$ 300
Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of nursing centers | facility									22
Broadmoor Manor
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds		120
Term of contract		10 years
Rent expense, base year rent | $		$ 540
Rent expense, increase during year two | $		$ 780
Annual rent increase, percentage		2.00%
Leake County Nursing Home
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds		99
Term of contract		2 years
Rent expense, base year rent | $		$ 300
Armory, MS | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds		152
Batesville, MS | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds		130
Brook Manor, MS | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds		58
Eupora, MS | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds		119
Ripley, MS | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds		140
Southaven, MS | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds		140
Eason Blvd | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds		120
Tylertown, MS | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds		60
Term of contract		10 years
Arab, AL | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds	87
Meadowood, AL | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds	180
Riverchase, AL | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds	132
Boaz, AL | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds	100
Foley, AL | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds	154
Hueytown, AL | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds	50
Lanett, MS | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds	85
Montgomery, AL | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds	138
Oneonta, AL | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds	120
Oxford, AL | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds	173
Pell City, AL | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds	94
Winfield, AL | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds	123
Hutchinson, Kansas | Diversicare of Hutchinson
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds				85
Purchase price | $				$ 4,250
Clinton, Kentucky | Clinton Place
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of licensed nursing beds				88
Purchase price | $				$ 3,300
Unnamed pharmacy joint venture
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gain on sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate | $					$ 733	$ 1,366
Property subject to operating lease | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of center locations | facility	12	8
Amended lease | Golden Living
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Term of contract	10 years
Rent expense, base year rent | $	$ 24,675
Annual rent increase, percentage	2.00%
Maximum number of lease renewal periods | option	2
Operating leases, renewal term	5 years