Play therapy with the elderly: A case study.

Abstract

This article reviews a project conducted with nursing home residents using child-centered play therapy. Play therapy was chosen as a therapeutic modality in order to reach this population more creatively. Three case studies are presented. Therapeutic changes were reported by the social worker, staff members, the elderly participants, and the author. Observed outcomes of therapy reported were decreased depression, heighten self-esteem, improved socialization skills, and what appeared to be resolution of difficult issues. A discussion of limitations, selection of clients, and suggestions for future use of play therapy with this population are included.

The practitioner as researcher: Qualitative case studies in play therapy.

“…Considering each criterion listed above, the findings from the analysis of articles are presented below: Purpose of Case Study: The authors of all 11 articles stated a purpose for their case study article, some through the use of research questions (Edwards, Ladner, & White, 2007; Ryan & Madsen, 2007; Solis, Meyers, & Varjas, 2004) and others had a purpose that was defined more subtly (Danger, 2003; Ledyard, 1999). Review of the Literature: More than half of the articles contained a literature review in which other similar case studies were compared (Danger, 2003; Kenny & Winick, 2000; Ryan & Madsen, 2007; Snow, Helm, & Martin, 2004; Snow, Hudspeth, Gore, & Seale, 2007) or at least sought such a comparison, which the authors determined did not exist (Edwards et al, 2007; Solis et al, 2004).…”

“…Review of the Literature: More than half of the articles contained a literature review in which other similar case studies were compared (Danger, 2003; Kenny & Winick, 2000; Ryan & Madsen, 2007; Snow, Helm, & Martin, 2004; Snow, Hudspeth, Gore, & Seale, 2007) or at least sought such a comparison, which the authors determined did not exist (Edwards et al, 2007; Solis et al, 2004). Within the remaining articles, the authors transitioned from the purpose statement to defining the object of interest (De Domenico, 2002; Demanchick, Cochran, & Cochran, 2003; Ledyard, 1999; White, Flynt, & Draper, 1997). The object of interest was identified in all of the articles, and the areas covered were varied, including three addressing filial play therapy (Edwards et al, 2007; Ryan & Madsen, 2007; Solis et al, 2004); two each on play therapy (Ledyard, 1999; Snow et al, 2007) and adaptations of child centered play therapy (Demanchick et al, 2003; Snow et al, 2007); and one each in integrative play therapy (Kenny & Winick, 2000), kinder therapy (White et al, 1997), adaptive doll play (Danger, 2003), and sandtray wordplay (De Domenico, 2002).…”

“…Within the remaining articles, the authors transitioned from the purpose statement to defining the object of interest (De Domenico, 2002; Demanchick, Cochran, & Cochran, 2003; Ledyard, 1999; White, Flynt, & Draper, 1997). The object of interest was identified in all of the articles, and the areas covered were varied, including three addressing filial play therapy (Edwards et al, 2007; Ryan & Madsen, 2007; Solis et al, 2004); two each on play therapy (Ledyard, 1999; Snow et al, 2007) and adaptations of child centered play therapy (Demanchick et al, 2003; Snow et al, 2007); and one each in integrative play therapy (Kenny & Winick, 2000), kinder therapy (White et al, 1997), adaptive doll play (Danger, 2003), and sandtray wordplay (De Domenico, 2002). Methodology Included: Four of the 11 articles defined the case study approach used by the authors (Edwards et al, 2007; Ryan & Madsen, 2007; Snow et al, 2007; Solis et al, 2004).…”

“…All of the articles described the participants, settings, and other aspects related to the object of interest, with most including an extensive section on those items (De Domenico, 2002; Demanchick et al, 2003; Edwards et al, 2007; Kenny & Winick, 2000; Ledyard, 1999; Snow et al, 2004; Snow et al; Solis et al, 2004; White et al, 1997) and two with at least a minimal description of the participants and setting (Danger, 2003; Ryan & Madsen, 2007). Seven of the 11 articles provided information regarding the role of the author or authors in the scope of the case study (Danger, 2003; De Domenico, 2002; Demanchick et al, 2003; Edwards et al, 2007; Ledyard, 1999; Snow et al, 2007; Solis et al, 2004). In the remaining articles, the role of the author(s) was either unclear (Kenny & Winick, 2000; Ryan & Madsen, 2007; White et al, 1997) or not addressed at all (Snow et al, 2007).…”

“…In the remaining articles, the role of the author(s) was either unclear (Kenny & Winick, 2000; Ryan & Madsen, 2007; White et al, 1997) or not addressed at all (Snow et al, 2007). Narrative Description: Nearly all of the articles contained a narrative description of the actual events (Danger, 2003; De Domenico, 2002; Demanchick et al, 2003; Kenny & Winick, 2000; Ledyard, 1999; Ryan & Madsen, 2007; Snow et al, 2004; Snow et al, 2007; White et al, 1997) and the narratives generally were quite extensive and presented in the context of a time frame, although within one article (Ryan & Madsen, 2007), the description of sessions and interviews were not told in a specific time frame. Authors in two of the articles presented the information as findings in response to the stated research questions rather than presenting a narrative of the events (Edwards et al, 2007; Solis et al, 2004).…”