Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Numerator: Income (loss) amounts attributable to Advocat Inc. shareholders
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (242)	$ (903)	$ (1,966)	$ 2,337
Less: income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(16)	0	(109)	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Advocat Inc.	(258)	(903)	(2,075)	2,337
Preferred stock dividends	(86)	(86)	(258)	(258)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Advocat Inc. shareholders	(344)	(989)	(2,333)	2,079
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	262	30	177	165
Net income (loss) attributable to Advocat, Inc. common shareholders	$ (82)	$ (959)	$ (2,156)	$ 2,244
Per common share - basic
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.17)	$ (0.40)	$ 0.36
Income from discontinued operations Operating income (loss), net of taxes (in dollars per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.03
Gain on disposal, net of taxes	$ 0.03	$ 0.00	$ 0.03	$ 0.00
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.00	$ 0.03	$ 0.03
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.17)	$ (0.37)	$ 0.39
Per common share - diluted
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.17)	$ (0.40)	$ 0.35
Income (loss) from discontinued operations Operating income (loss), net of taxes (in dollars per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.03
Discontinued operations, net of taxes (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.00	$ 0.03	$ 0.03
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.17)	$ (0.37)	$ 0.38
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic (shares)	5,828	5,779	5,816	5,770
Diluted (shares)	5,828	5,779	5,816	5,915