A study reviewed materials on the elderly as volunteers and volunteer work with the elderly from five databases: Sociological Abstracts, PsychInfo, Health Planning and Administration, ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center), and the GPO (Government Printing Office) Monthly Catalog (government publications). Some of the findings of the study were as follows: (1) retirees are an important source of volunteers, especially now that volunteers are more acutely needed because of the increase in the numbers of frail elderly and reductions in funding for human service programs; (2) a large number of volunteer programs involve service from and to older adults, with a variety of motives for volunteering; (3) the majority of the programs involve expressive/community activities, health-related services, and school projects; (4) volunteerism is a positive experience both for the giver and the receiver; (5) some volunteer programs involving older adults have been unsuccessful; and (6) problems exist in recruiting and retaining volunteers, and barriers lead to underuse, particularly of potential elderly volunteers. Recommendations were to make greater use of elderly volunteers and to use volunteers to help frail elderly persons maintain their independence and quality of life. (88 references) (KC)