Operating Income of Reportable Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	$ 378,821	$ 360,746	$ 749,279	$ 709,563
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	219,765	206,505	435,550	408,342
General and administrative expenses	120,900	126,700	239,600	254,200
Provision for doubtful accounts	4,651	4,253	10,992	8,193
Depreciation and amortization	4,537	4,975	8,954	9,448
Securities Class Action Lawsuit settlement, net	28,712	0	28,712	0
Operating expenses	378,581	342,388	723,874	680,142
Operating income	240	18,358	25,405	29,421
Home Health [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	273,700	275,500	545,000	548,200
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	164,800	160,300	327,800	321,100
General and administrative expenses	68,900	72,300	136,900	143,500
Provision for doubtful accounts	3,400	3,500	7,100	6,800
Depreciation and amortization	1,000	1,600	1,900	2,800
Securities Class Action Lawsuit settlement, net	0		0
Operating expenses	238,100	237,700	473,700	474,200
Operating income	35,600	37,800	71,300	74,000
Hospice [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	90,700	75,800	176,300	148,800
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	44,700	39,400	87,100	78,200
General and administrative expenses	19,000	17,400	37,000	34,300
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,200	700	3,700	1,400
Depreciation and amortization	200	300	500	600
Securities Class Action Lawsuit settlement, net	0		0
Operating expenses	65,100	57,800	128,300	114,500
Operating income	25,600	18,000	48,000	34,300
Personal Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	14,400	9,400	28,000	12,500
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	10,300	6,800	20,700	9,000
General and administrative expenses	3,000	2,300	6,200	2,700
Provision for doubtful accounts	100	0	200	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	100	0
Securities Class Action Lawsuit settlement, net	0		0
Operating expenses	13,400	9,100	27,200	11,700
Operating income	1,000	300	800	800
All Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	0	0	0	0
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
General and administrative expenses	30,000	34,700	59,500	73,700
Provision for doubtful accounts	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	3,300	3,100	6,500	6,000
Securities Class Action Lawsuit settlement, net	28,700		28,700
Operating expenses	62,000	37,800	94,700	79,700
Operating income	$ (62,000)	$ (37,800)	$ (94,700)	$ (79,700)