Consolidated Statements of Shareholdes' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Total Shareholders' Equity of Advocat Inc.	Non- Controlling Interests
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 19,693	$ 59	$ (2,500)	$ 17,647	$ 4,487	$ 0	$ 19,693	$ 0
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2009		5,949,000	232,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income (Loss)	3,849				3,849		3,849
Preferred stock dividends	(344)				(344)		(344)
Common stock dividends declared ($.22 per share)	(1,234)			9	(1,243)		(1,234)
Issuance/redemption of equity grants, net (shares)		27,000.000
Issuance/redemption of equity grants, net	(21)	1		(22)			(21)
Tax impact of equity grant exercises	(90)			(90)			(90)
Stock based compensation	352			352			352
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	22,205	60	(2,500)	17,896	6,749	0	22,205	0
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010		5,976,000	232,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income (Loss)	1,367			0	1,367		1,367
Preferred stock dividends	(344)			0	(344)		(344)
Common stock dividends declared ($.22 per share)	(1,271)			21	(1,292)		(1,271)
Issuance/redemption of equity grants, net (shares)		85,000.000
Issuance/redemption of equity grants, net	40	1		39			40
Interest rate cash flow hedge	(945)			0		(945)	(945)
Tax impact of equity grant exercises	(162)			(162)			(162)
Distributions to minority interest holders	1,654			0			0	1,654
Stock based compensation	425			425			425
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	22,969	61	(2,500)	18,219	6,480	(945)	21,315	1,654
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		6,061,000	232,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income (Loss)	(2,920)				(3,046)		(3,046)	126
Preferred stock dividends	(344)				(344)		(344)
Common stock dividends declared ($.22 per share)	(1,282)			29	(1,311)		(1,282)
Issuance/redemption of equity grants, net (shares)		100,000.000
Issuance/redemption of equity grants, net	55	1		54			55
Interest rate cash flow hedge	25					25	25
Tax impact of equity grant exercises	(26)			(26)			(26)
Distributions to minority interest holders	(207)				0		0	(207)
Stock based compensation	481			481			481
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 18,751	$ 62	$ (2,500)	$ 18,757	$ 1,779	$ (920)	$ 17,178	$ 1,573
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012		6,161,000	232,000