SEGMENT DATA (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 segment	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
SEGMENT DATA
Number of reportable segments									2
Segment data
Net service revenues	$ 86,554	$ 85,128	$ 86,892	$ 89,950	$ 89,331	$ 86,207	$ 81,718	$ 82,596	$ 348,524	$ 339,853	$ 335,295
Operating income									28,544	34,561	51,657
Identifiable assets	249,259				251,160				249,259	251,160	220,127
Identifiable liabilities	44,944				44,863				44,944	44,863	37,959
Capital expenditures									2,487	2,890	2,607
Depreciation and amortization									2,578	2,816	2,913
Medicare program
Segment data
Segment revenues (as a percent)	71.00%								71.00%
Visiting Nurse
Segment data
Net service revenues									271,477	283,596	294,915
Operating income									39,424	45,744	66,193
Identifiable assets	158,823				153,266				158,823	153,266	147,299
Identifiable liabilities	9,940				12,272				9,940	12,272	10,458
Capital expenditures									740	790	1,815
Depreciation and amortization									1,030	1,330	1,379
Visiting Nurse | Medicare program
Segment data
Segment revenues (as a percent)	91.00%								91.00%
Personal Care
Segment data
Net service revenues									77,047	56,257	40,380
Operating income									10,029	8,682	5,523
Identifiable assets	47,860				42,302				47,860	42,302	12,111
Identifiable liabilities	4,670				3,019				4,670	3,019	2,834
Capital expenditures									648	756	69
Depreciation and amortization									156	80	44
Personal Care | Medicaid and other government programs
Segment data
Segment revenues (as a percent)	86.00%								86.00%
Unallocated
Segment data
Operating income									(20,909)	(19,865)	(20,059)
Identifiable assets	42,576				55,592				42,576	55,592	60,717
Identifiable liabilities	30,334				29,572				30,334	29,572	24,667
Capital expenditures									1,099	1,344	723
Depreciation and amortization									$ 1,392	$ 1,406	$ 1,490