The problem of loneliness in the elderly in the community: characteristics of those who are lonely and the factors related to loneliness.

Two samples of patients aged over 70 years were selected, one sample from a large urban general practice and one from a randomized rural general practice. Patients were interviewed in order to assess their mental, physical and social well-being. Included in the interview were questions on subjective feelings of loneliness.More patients in the urban practice than in the rural practice reported feeling lonely, the proportion increasing with age in both samples. More women than men experienced feelings of loneliness; widowhood was closely associated with loneliness, particularly recent widowhood. Feelings of loneliness were consistently associated with disability in both study areas.