Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Numerator: Income (loss) amounts attributable to Advocat Inc. common shareholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (869)	$ 180	$ 125	$ (1,311)	$ (1,123)	$ (779)	$ 4,702	$ 1,290	$ (3,217)	$ 1,186	$ 3,630
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(126)	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Advocat Inc.									(3,343)	1,186	3,630
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS									(344)	(344)	(344)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Advocat Inc. shareholders									(3,687)	842	3,286
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes									297	181	219
NET INCOME (LOSS) FOR ADVOCAT INC. COMMON SHAREHOLDERS									$ (3,390)	$ 1,023	$ 3,505
Per common share - basic
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.23)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.25)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.46	$ 0.07	$ (0.63)	$ 0.15	$ 0.57
Income from discontinued operations Operating income (loss), net of taxes (in dollars per share)									$ 0.02	$ 0.03	$ 0.12
Gain (loss) on disposal, net of taxes (in dollars per share)									$ 0.03	$ 0.00	$ (0.08)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.05	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)	$ 0.00	$ 0.01	$ 0.03	$ (0.01)	$ 0.05	$ 0.03	$ 0.04
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.27)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.16)	$ 0.49	$ 0.06	$ (0.58)	$ 0.18	$ 0.61
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic (shares)									5,821	5,744	5,732
Incremental shares from assumed exercise of options, SOSARS and Restricted Stock Units									0	162	122
Diluted (shares)									5,821	5,906	5,854
Per common share - diluted
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.23)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.25)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.45	$ 0.07	$ (0.63)	$ 0.14	$ 0.56
Income (loss) from discontinued operations Operating income (loss), net of taxes (in dollars per share)									$ 0.02	$ 0.03	$ 0.12
Discontinued operations, net of taxes (in dollars per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.05	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)	$ 0.00	$ 0.01	$ 0.03	$ (0.01)	$ 0.05	$ 0.03	$ 0.04
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.27)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.16)	$ 0.48	$ 0.06	$ (0.58)	$ 0.17	$ 0.60