Subsidiary Guarantors (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 6,288	$ 10,239	$ 10,963	$ 21,535
Adjustments to reconcile net income, including noncontrolling interest, to cash provided by operating activities			33,777	12,531
Cash provided by operating activities			44,740	34,066
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment			(9,976)	(8,212)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired			(949)	(2,234)
Proceeds from sale of assets			203	184
Cash used in investing activities			(10,722)	(10,262)
Financing activities:
Long-term debt repayments			(172,600)	(9,280)
Long-term debt borrowings			275,000
Debt issuance costs			(3,618)	(2)
Dividend paid			(122,448)
Payments on obligations under capital leases			(3,692)	(3,499)
Cash used in financing activities			(27,358)	(12,781)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			211	(81)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			6,871	10,942
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			29,997	50,134
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	36,868	61,076	36,868	61,076
Parent Company [Member]
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	6,288	10,279	10,963	21,611
Adjustments to reconcile net income, including noncontrolling interest, to cash provided by operating activities			6,165	(35,175)
Cash provided by operating activities			17,128	(13,564)
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment			(2,686)	(4,242)
Cash used in investing activities			(2,686)	(4,242)
Financing activities:
Long-term debt repayments			(172,515)	(8,737)
Long-term debt borrowings			275,000
Debt issuance costs			(3,618)	(2)
Dividend paid			(122,448)
Net payments relating to intercompany financing			18,254	41,677
Cash used in financing activities			(5,327)	32,938
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			9,115	15,132
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			26,335	42,633
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	35,450	57,765	35,450	57,765
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	9,899	24,978	20,115	41,386
Adjustments to reconcile net income, including noncontrolling interest, to cash provided by operating activities			7,728	5,948
Cash provided by operating activities			27,843	47,334
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment			(7,260)	(3,940)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired			(949)	(2,234)
Proceeds from sale of assets			203	184
Cash used in investing activities			(8,006)	(5,990)
Financing activities:
Long-term debt repayments			(85)	(179)
Payments on obligations under capital leases			(3,692)	(3,499)
Net payments relating to intercompany financing			(18,415)	(39,687)
Cash used in financing activities			(22,192)	(43,365)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents				(81)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(2,355)	(2,102)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			2,860	4,795
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	505	2,693	505	2,693
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	46	(138)	44	(224)
Adjustments to reconcile net income, including noncontrolling interest, to cash provided by operating activities			(275)	520
Cash provided by operating activities			(231)	296
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment			(30)	(30)
Cash used in investing activities			(30)	(30)
Financing activities:
Long-term debt repayments				(364)
Net payments relating to intercompany financing			161	(1,990)
Cash used in financing activities			161	(2,354)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			211
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			111	(2,088)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			802	2,706
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	913	618	913	618
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	(9,945)	(24,880)	(20,159)	(41,238)
Adjustments to reconcile net income, including noncontrolling interest, to cash provided by operating activities			$ 20,159	$ 41,238

RES CARE INC /KY/ 10-Q