Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
PATIENT REVENUES, net	$ 308,072	$ 309,467	$ 285,594
EXPENSES:
Operating	242,591	239,674	225,469
Lease and rent expense	23,930	22,939	22,600
Professional liability	11,964	10,466	5,140
General and administrative	24,419	25,589	19,680
Depreciation and amortization	7,043	6,365	5,614
Asset impairment	0	344	0
Total expenses	309,947	305,377	278,503
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	(1,875)	4,090	7,091
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Equity in net losses of investee	(280)	0	0
Interest expense, net	(2,809)	(2,355)	(1,632)
Debt retirement costs	0	(112)	(127)
Total other income (expense)	(3,089)	(2,467)	(1,759)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(4,964)	1,623	5,332
BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES	1,747	(437)	(1,702)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(3,217)	1,186	3,630
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
Operating income, net of tax provision of $10,000, $66,000 and $241,000, respectively	123	181	677
Gain (loss) on disposal and impairment, net of tax provision (benefit) of $107,000, $0 and ($217,000), respectively	174	0	(458)
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	297	181	219
NET INCOME (LOSS)	(2,920)	1,367	3,849
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(126)	0	0
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO ADVOCAT INC.	(3,046)	1,367	3,849
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS	(344)	(344)	(344)
NET INCOME (LOSS) FOR ADVOCAT INC. COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	$ (3,390)	$ 1,023	$ 3,505
Per common share – basic
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.63)	$ 0.15	$ 0.57
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.03	$ 0.04
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ (0.58)	$ 0.18	$ 0.61
Per common share – diluted
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.63)	$ 0.14	$ 0.56
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.03	$ 0.04
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ (0.58)	$ 0.17	$ 0.60
COMMON STOCK DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK	$ 0.22	$ 0.22	$ 0.215
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic (shares)	5,821	5,744	5,732
Diluted (shares)	5,821	5,906	5,854