Exhibit 23.1


                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



Advocat Inc.
Franklin, Tennessee

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements on Form S-8 (File Numbers 33-93940 and 33-93950) of Advocat Inc. of
our reports dated March 17, 2003, relating to the 2002 consolidated financial
statements and financial statement schedule, which appears in this Form 10-K.
Our report contains an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company's ability to
continue as a going concern.


                                                                BDO SEIDMAN, LLP

Memphis, Tennessee
March 28, 2003