If you have seen someone close to you suffering from dementia then you must surely be aware of the struggles and efforts that go into keeping them hydrated. London-based student Lewis Hornby experienced something similar when his grandmother was diagnosed with dementia. Hornby realized what an ordeal water intake becomes for the patients as well as for people looking after them and hence he came up with an idea of making visually appealing edible water, Jelly Drops. “It is very easy for people with dementia to become dehydrated,” he explains. “Many no longer feel thirst, don’t know how to quench thirst, or don’t have the dexterity to drink.”
Hornby did thorough research before giving shape to his inventive idea. He discussed the thought with psychologists, doctors, explored the illness himself through virtual reality and even spent a week in the care home to understand how he can help the patients with his product. In the end, Hornsby constructed candy-looking Jelly Drops that consists 90% water and 10% of electrolytes and gelling agents. Hornby explains, “From my observations, people with dementia find eating much easier than drinking. Even still, it can be difficult to engage and encourage them to eat. I found the best way to overcome this is to offer them a treat! This format excites people with dementia, they instantly recognize it and know how to interact with it.”
His own grandmother consumed 7 of these Jelly Drops in 10 minutes without creating any fuss and considering that this amount is equivalent to one full cup of water, we can’t help but say that Hornby has succeeded in his life-altering mission!
Images: © Jelly Drops
h/t: My Modern Met