QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADDED BY
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

        In connection with the Annual Report of AdCare Health Systems, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), I, Martin D. Brew, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as added by § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1.

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and



2.

To my knowledge, the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of and for the period covered by the Report.

Date: March 19, 2012 By: /s/ MARTIN D. BREW
Martin D. Brew,
Chief Financial Officer

QuickLinks

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADDED BY SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002