Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Number of States in which Entity Operates	10
Homecare Services Anticipated Payment Deferred Revenue Percentage	60.00%
Number of Reportable Segments	2
Provision for Doubtful Accounts	$ 5,256,000	$ 5,967,000	$ 6,583,000
General and Administrative Expense	30,700,000	29,300,000	34,500,000
Customer Refundable Fees	8,827,000	9,924,000
Continuing Care Retirement Communities Advance Fees, Obligation for Future Services, Amount	2,887,000	3,236,000
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	18,867,000	29,669,000	$ 32,131,000
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ (237,000)
Refundable Advance Fees [Member]
Nonrefundable Resident Entry Fee Percentage	10.00%
Customer Refundable Fees	$ 8,827,000	9,924,000
Original Entry Fee [Member]
Refundable Resident Entry Fee Percentage	90.00%
Appreciation [Member]
Appreciation of Apartment Over Original Residents Entry Fee Percentage	40.00%
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	20 years
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	40 years
Equipment and Furniture [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Equipment and Furniture [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	15 years
Medicare and Medicaid [Member]
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	$ 17,389,000	$ 17,019,000
Caris [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	75.10%