Student Invents Edible Water That Looks Like Sweets to Help Patients With Dementia Stay Hydrated

By Mandy Froelich / Truth Theory|

Did you know? Dehydration is a common concern for individuals who suffer from degenerative neurological diseases. London-based student Lewis Hornby has witnessed this firsthand, which is why he developed edible water that appears to be a sweet treat but is actually a juicy burst of hydration.

Inspired to help his grandmother stay hydrated, the inventor developed Jelly Drops. The bite-sized pods of edible water look like tasty treats but are primarily made up water.

As My Modern Met reports, the colorful “candies” are made using water, gelling agents, and electrolytes. They are available in a rainbow of colors and are presented in packaging similar to a box of chocolates. As a result, the Jelly Drops are an easy and appealing method for seniors to stay hydrated.

“It is very easy for people with dementia to become dehydrated,” he explained. “Many no longer feel thirst, don’t know how to quench thirst, or don’t have the dexterity to drink.”

After seeking advice from psychologists and doctors, Hornby opted to “experience” life with dementia himself. He spent a week in a care home and relied on virtual reality tools to become familiar with the needs of dementia patients. Afterward, he brainstormed what they might actually want — not just need.

“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,” he wrote.

Jelly Drops from Lewis Hornby on Vimeo.

018. At the time, the Jelly Drops were in a trial phase and had already earned two honors: Helen Hamlyn Design Award – Snowdon Award for Disability and the Dyson School of Design Engineering DESIRE Award for Social Impact.

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