Operating Income of Reportable Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	$ 370,458	$ 348,817
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	215,785	201,837
General and administrative expenses	118,800	127,500
Provision for doubtful accounts	6,341	3,940
Depreciation and amortization	4,417	4,473
Operating expenses	345,293	337,754
Operating income	25,165	11,063
Home Health [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	271,300	272,700
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	163,000	160,800
General and administrative expenses	68,000	71,200
Provision for doubtful accounts	3,700	3,200
Depreciation and amortization	900	1,300
Operating expenses	235,600	236,500
Operating income	35,700	36,200
Hospice [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	85,600	73,000
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	42,400	38,800
General and administrative expenses	18,000	16,900
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,500	700
Depreciation and amortization	300	300
Operating expenses	63,200	56,700
Operating income	22,400	16,300
Personal Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	13,600	3,100
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	10,400	2,200
General and administrative expenses	3,300	400
Provision for doubtful accounts	100	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Operating expenses	13,800	2,600
Operating income	(200)	500
All Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	0	0
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	0	0
General and administrative expenses	29,500	39,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	3,200	2,900
Operating expenses	32,700	41,900
Operating income	$ (32,700)	$ (41,900)