The aims of this study was to investigate the effects of integrated play therapy with elderly
program on self-expression and depression with disabilities. For this purpose, 40 elderly disabled
persons (20 experimental group and 20 control group) aged 65 or older among the elderly people
who were living alone in the elderly general welfare center of D city. The subjects were divided
into experimental group and control group for 8 weeks (once a week, every 90 minutes). The
study period was from Oct. 4 to Nov. 22, 2016, and from October 7 to November 25, 2016
(10 elder peoples in the experimental group, respectively). The analysis method was compared
before and after non-identical control group, and the effect of education through pre-, post-,
and 10 weeks follow-up test was measured. The results of the study showed that the
self-expression of the experimental group increased significantly before and after the integrated
play therapy with elderly, and the follow-up results showed that there was a sustained effect.
The score of depression was effectively reduced and the effect was sustained. Based on the
results of this study, I suggested practical and policy activating plan to support play therapy
with elderly program which is a purposeful activity for the elderly with disabilities.