Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
PATIENT REVENUES, net	$ 77,092	$ 79,172	$ 154,190	$ 156,302
EXPENSES:
Operating	60,804	59,742	122,345	120,599
Lease	5,941	5,727	11,763	11,441
Professional liability	2,305	1,081	4,634	2,772
General and administrative	6,076	6,124	12,898	12,178
Depreciation and amortization	1,827	1,565	3,649	3,121
Total expenses	76,953	74,239	155,289	150,111
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	139	4,933	(1,099)	6,191
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Equity in net losses of investee	(32)		(32)
Interest expense, net	(703)	(582)	(1,403)	(1,033)
Debt retirement costs				(112)
Total other income (expense)	(735)	(582)	(1,435)	(1,145)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(596)	4,351	(2,534)	5,046
BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES	165	(1,412)	868	(1,661)
NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(431)	2,939	(1,666)	3,385
NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
Operating income (loss), net of taxes of $(0) and $(2), respectively	(2)	(2)	(143)	(10)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(433)	2,937	(1,809)	3,375
Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(15)		(93)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO ADVOCAT INC.	(448)	2,937	(1,902)	3,375
Preferred stock dividends	(86)	(86)	(172)	(172)
Net income (loss) attributable to Advocat Inc. shareholders	$ (534)	$ 2,851	$ (2,074)	$ 3,203
Per common share - basic
Continuing operations	$ (0.09)	$ 0.49	$ (0.33)	$ 0.56
Discontinued operations			$ (0.03)
Net income (loss)	$ (0.09)	$ 0.49	$ (0.36)	$ 0.56
Per common share - diluted
Continuing operations	$ (0.09)	$ 0.48	$ (0.33)	$ 0.54
Discontinued operations			$ (0.03)
Net income (loss)	$ (0.09)	$ 0.48	$ (0.36)	$ 0.54
COMMON STOCK DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK	$ 0.055	$ 0.055	$ 0.11	$ 0.11
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic	5,825	5,778	5,810	5,765
Diluted	5,825	5,934	5,810	5,906