Exit Activities (Detail)
$ in Thousands
 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Agencies
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Agencies
Dec. 31, 2013
USD ($)
Agencies
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]        
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Assets   $ 184 $ 2,967 $ 1,752
Proceeds from Divestiture of Business   $ 413 $ 4,233 $ 5,146
Home Health [Member]        
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]        
Number of care centers available for sale | Agencies 28   0 3
Number of care centers consolidated | Agencies     21 41
Number of care centers sold | Agencies       19
Number of care centers closed | Agencies     22 10
Hospice [Member]        
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]        
Number of care centers consolidated | Agencies     4 5
Number of care centers sold | Agencies       1
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  
Alaska and Washington Care Centers [Member]        
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]        
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Assets       $ 1,000
Proceeds from Divestiture of Business       $ 1,600
Alaska and Washington Care Centers [Member] | Home Health [Member]        
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]        
Number of care centers sold | Agencies       2
Alaska and Washington Care Centers [Member] | Hospice [Member]        
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]        
Number of care centers sold | Agencies       1
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  
Unconsolidated Joint Venture [Member]        
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]        
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Assets       $ (700)
Proceeds from Divestiture of Business       $ 500
Number of care centers sold | Agencies       1
Available For Sale [Member] | Home Health [Member]        
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]        
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Assets     $ 800 $ 700
Proceeds from Divestiture of Business     $ 800 $ 1,400
Number of care centers consolidated | Agencies     1  
Number of care centers sold | Agencies     2 17
Number of care centers closed | Agencies       8
Not Included In Available For Sale [Member] | Home Health [Member]        
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]        
Number of care centers closed | 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  
2013 Exit Activity [Member] | Lease Termination [Member]        
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]        
Other Restructuring Costs       $ 1,500
2013 Exit Activity [Member] | Severance [Member]        
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]        
Other Restructuring Costs       1,800
2013 Exit Activity [Member] | Goodwill And Other Intangibles Impairment [Member]        
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]        
Other Restructuring Costs       3,600
2013 Exit Activity [Member] | Available For Sale [Member] | Lease Termination [Member] | Home Health [Member]        
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]        
Discontinued Operations Liability       500
2013 Exit Activity [Member] | Available For Sale [Member] | Intangibles Write Off [Member] | Home Health [Member]        
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]        
Discontinued Operations Liability       $ 100
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