Though self-directed learning has become a popular research subject in adult education over the past few decades, studies on that of the elderly population has been scarce particularly in Korea. A number of empirical studies of self-directed learning had only been conducted on children, teenagers and adults but not on the elderly. This study was undertaken to identify the possibilities of older adults' initiating self-directed learning and its implications for the elderly welfare. A review of literature revealed that self-directed learning of the elderly has a positive influence on higher life satisfaction, better use of leisure, and better adjustments to later years. Furthermore, self-directed health care of the elderly is said to lead to more independent and controlled management of health issues, as well as reduction of social and medical care expenses . Life satisfaction of the Korean elderly has been reported generally low during the past few years, as shown by their high suicide rate. Developing innovative approaches to elderly education is thus imperative in order to help older adults live better lives in the fast-aging society. Instead of being considered passive learners, older adults should be perceived and trained as active, confident, and responsible learners. Self-directed learning for the elderly should be executed with thoughtfully-developed, elderly-friendly contents and methods. Then it could become an effective measure to tackle the elderly's dependency on others and powerlessness which has been commonly featured during their later years.