The Potential of Self-Directed Learning

Abstract

Medical advances and personal lifestyles have resulted in older adults living longer and healthier lives. As one becomes older there are adjustments with work, family, and health; self-directed learning is one way of negotiating these changes. The purpose of this paper is to understand how older adults can utilize self-directed learning during the adjustments of late-life. SDL is the way adults continue to learn and should be considered an important aspect of adaptation. This paper presents various activities that promote self-directed learning with older adults. SDL has the potential to enable facilitators of older adults, as well as older adults, to learn what is necessary to adapt during the aging process.

Key Words:

• Self-directed learning
• adult education
• practitioners