Segment Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 segment	Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Data
Number of reportable segments			2
Segment data
Net service revenues	$ 86,818	$ 85,296	$ 172,653	$ 173,147
Operating income	4,447	7,378	9,741	15,137
Interest expense, net	(11)	(32)	(29)	(70)
Income tax expense	(1,852)	(2,902)	(3,802)	(5,839)
Net income from continuing operations	2,584	4,444	5,910	9,228
Reportable segments
Segment data
Net service revenues	86,818	85,296	172,653	173,147
Operating income	10,003	12,910	20,354	26,141
Visiting Nurse
Segment data
Net service revenues	66,418	66,018	133,351	134,623
Operating income	6,827	10,607	15,181	21,380
Visiting Nurse | Medicare program
Segment data
Segment revenues (as a percent)	93.00%		93.00%
Personal Care
Segment data
Net service revenues	20,400	19,278	39,302	38,524
Operating income	3,176	2,303	5,173	4,761
Personal Care | Medicaid and other government programs
Segment data
Segment revenues (as a percent)	85.00%		85.00%
Corporate expenses
Segment data
Operating income	$ 5,556	$ 5,532	$ 10,613	$ 11,004