Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
PATIENT REVENUES, net	$ 77,098	$ 77,130
EXPENSES:
Operating	61,541	60,857
Lease	5,822	5,714
Professional liability	2,329	1,691
General and administrative	6,822	6,054
Depreciation and amortization	1,822	1,556
Total expenses	78,336	75,872
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	(1,238)	1,258
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense, net	(700)	(451)
Debt retirement costs		(112)
Total other income (expense)	(700)	(563)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(1,938)	695
BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES	703	(249)
NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(1,235)	446
NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
Operating income (loss), net of taxes of $(78) and $(4), respectively	(141)	(8)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(1,376)	438
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(78)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO ADVOCAT INC.	(1,454)	438
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS	(86)	(86)
NET INCOME (LOSS) FOR ADVOCAT INC. COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$ (1,540)	$ 352
Per common share - basic
Continuing operations	$ (0.24)	$ 0.06
Discontinued operations	$ (0.03)
Total per common share - basic	$ (0.27)	$ 0.06
Per common share - diluted
Continuing operations	$ (0.24)	$ 0.06
Discontinued operations	$ (0.03)
Total per common share - diluted	$ (0.27)	$ 0.06
COMMON STOCK DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK	$ 0.055	$ 0.055
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES:
Basic	5,795	5,752
Diluted	5,795	5,877