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Alcohol use amongst elderly people is an increasingly important area to understand, yet relatively little research has been undertaken and our knowledge remains limited. This paper contains a review of the literature, concentrating on alcohol use in community-dwelling elderly people. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal research papers are reviewed; their findings suggest high abstinence rates amongst the population under consideration, with consumption consistently associated negatively with increasing age and female gender. A summary of the largely non-specific, descriptive literature available is also included. Research concerned with elderly people and alcohol use is problematic and therefore the limitations of the available research are examined in detail. Firm conclusions are difficult to draw from the research to date because, for example, there are varying definitions of terms such as 'alcoholism' and 'heavy drinking' and instruments used for detection have not been validated with older age groups. The need for increased awareness amongst health professionals, especially nurses, about issues surrounding community dwelling elderly people and alcohol use and misuse is discussed. Finally, the importance of further research, especially amongst largely neglected groups of the elderly population, such as ethnic minority groups and elderly homeless people, is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]