Table 2.

Themes and definitions from cross-site analysis.

Themes	Definition
Loss and living with dementia	Wide-ranging impacts of dementia and ageing, including the following: • Negative impact of dementia • Social, physical, cognitive, emotional/psychological • Reduced independence with daily activities • Reduced ability to carry out leisure activities/hobbies
What helped us	• What people wanted around the time of diagnosis • What did not help them at the time of diagnosis • Social and leisure activities that people enjoyed/valued • Out-of-house activities • Meeting people in similar circumstances • Respite • Coping strategies • Family support/relationships • Help and support in general, including research
Consistency and continuity	• Need for follow-up • The need for the same occupational therapist to be present throughout COTiD • Different behaviours with different people • May do more/try more with OT than family carer