Background: Since 2023, the Danish Rheumatism Association has developed and tested initiatives targeted partners of seniors aged 65+ living with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). More than 700,000 people in Denmark live with RMDs, and it is among the most prevalent chronic conditions affecting individuals aged 65 years and older. When people are diagnosed with RMDs, the consequences extend beyond the individual level, and often affect both their partners and close family members. Partners therefore play a crucial role in enabling seniors living with RMDs to live as well as possible by providing emotional support, practical assistance, and valuable knowledge related to the patient’s disease and treatment process. At the same time, being the partner of a senior living with RMDs can be highly demanding and is often associated with major negative consequences for the partner’s physical health, mental well-being, and not least their social life. A survey among members of the Danish Rheumatism Association revealed that 37% of relatives experience a significantly reduced quality of life, 40% experienced considerable strain on their relationships, and 35% reported that they neglect their own needs as a consequence of their partner’s RMDs diagnosis.

Objectives: To empower partners of seniors aged 65+ living with RMDs to prioritize their own health and well-being, thereby enhancing their capacity to better support their partner. To foster supportive communities among partners of seniors living with RMDs by providing opportunities to connect and share experiences with others in similar life situations. To equip partners of seniors living with RMDs with relevant knowledge and practical tools to help them manage the challenges of everyday life affected by RMDs.

Methods: The Danish Rheumatism Association has not previously had targeted initiatives for relatives living with RMDs, making this an entirely new target group for the organization. The target group, partners of seniors 65 + living with RMDs, was selected based on qualitative focus group and a survey among members of the Danish Rheumatism Association, which identified partners as the primary group with the greatest need for help a support. It has been essential to continuously involve the target group and involve them as active co-creators. Our approach has been based on ongoing testing and piloting of different initiatives to identify those most effective for the target group. Evaluation and impact measurement were integral components of the project. External evaluation partner South Danish Health Innovation (SDSI) facilitated systematic user involvement and contributed to the qualification of project activities. Ongoing process evaluations were conducted throughout the project period, incorporating feedback from a user panel, an advisory board, and participants. The feedback was used to adapt and improve activities during both the development- and implementation phases. Key insights from user feedback included the need for relatable communication, the importance of sharing personal stories from other partners rather than professional perspectives, recognition that many do not identify as “relatives” but as spouses or partners, a preference for participating at events together with the person with RMD, and limited capacity for long-term or multi-session courses.

Results: One of the initiatives that has had the greatest impact is our collaboration with rheumatology departments at ten hospitals across the country. Together we organized events for relatives, particularly couples. The events included expert presentations as well as opportunities for couples to share personal experiences and the life challenges of living with RMDs. Evaluation results showed that 89% of the participants gained new knowledge from the events. Online support groups for relatives, facilitated by trained volunteers, were also a new initiative within the organization. 72% of the participants of these online support groups gained knowledge and 77% found participation rewarding and valuable for sharing experiences with others in similar situations. Unfortunately, it was extremely difficult to recruit participants for these groups, as the target group was unwilling to commit a long-term program consisting of eight online sessions with fixed dates. Other outcomes included the development of a dedicated website with films, podcasts and webinars, which allow the target group to meet and hear from other relatives and couples who are in similar life changing positions. Social media campaigns on Facebook and Instagram reached 2.7 million people and a media campaign in the Danish press highlighted the importance of ensuring that partners of people with RMD also received the necessary support and assistance, helping to prevent the illness from affecting both partners.

Conclusions: The national program demonstrates that effectively reaching and supporting partners of elderly people living with RMDs requires time, internal organizational change, and substantial resources. Partners of elderly people represent a highly diverse group with varying needs, and no single approach can address them all. Many primarily identify as caregivers rather than individuals in need of support, despite clear evidence of significant physical and psychological impact. Targeted, relatable communication and peer-based initiatives, including events designed for couples, proved effective in enhancing knowledge, fostering recognition, and reinforcing a sense of shared experience and support.

REFERENCES: [1] Relatives in Denmark – a national survey based on survey and register data, Madsen et al. VIVE 2025.

[2] A survey among members of the Danish Rheumatism Association, 2024.

Acknowledgments: NIL.

Disclosure of Interests: None declared.