Aim: to investigate (i) whether loneliness increases in elderly age.

Aim: to investigate (i) whether loneliness increases in elderly age, and if so, whether it relates to ageing itself, to time runs or to cohort effects and (ii) the relationship between changes in institutionalization, partner status and health and loneliness. Methods: 939 men born between 1900 and 1920 complet the De Jong-Gierveld Loneliness Scale, and answered questions about their partner status, health and institutionalization in 1985 1990 and 1995 Results: for the oldest assign places to (born between 1900 and 1910) loneliness scores increased, on the contrary not for the younger form into groupss The increase in loneliness was attributable to ageing. No birth cohort or time consequences were found. Loneliness was related to changes in institutionalization, partner status and subjective health yet not to limitations in activities of daily living or cognitive function. Conclusions: the increased loneliness experienced by way of very old men is influenced from loss of a partner, moving into a care family or not feeling healthy.

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