Research Article
Coping with Cognitive Impairment in People with Parkinson’s Disease and Their Carers: A Qualitative Study
| Main themes | Subthemes | Descriptors |
| Cognitive impairment stressors | Cognitive impairment as a threat to perceived identity and role | Loss of sense of self | Parent/child relationship | Diminished | Becoming a carer | Loss of partner | Predeath grief: feelings of loss in carers | Not the same person | Taken from me | Loss of mutuality and marriage |
| Coping and adjustment | Success and challenges to coping in people with Parkinson’s disease | Successful adjustment | Acceptance: I just cope | Maintaining independence | Uncertain future | Perceived helplessness | Avoidance | Catastrophizing | Between helplessness and survival in carers coping with cognitive impairment | Sacrificing own needs | Isolation | Struggling with cognitive symptoms | Finding meaning |
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