Note 14 - Assignment of Hospice Business (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Increase in Limited Partnership Interest	7.50%	2.70%
Number of Equity Method Entities		8
Assignment Of Hospice Business (in Dollars)		$ 4,311,000
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures (in Dollars)	33,935,000		20,502,000
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	75.10%
Previously Recorded Goodwill [Member]
Assignment Of Hospice Business (in Dollars)		2,945,000
Caris [Member]
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures (in Dollars)	$ 7,500,000