An Ingenious ‘Candy’ Was Invented By A Student So His Grandma With Dementia Could Stay Hydrated And He Became Famous

Lewis Hornby, a student and the grandson of a woman suffering from dementia in her old age, decided to solve a big problem that had been bugging his grandma — her constant dehydration — by using science and ingenuity.

Dementia is popularly known as an older person’s disease as it seems to set in as the body ages. In the world, more than 50 million people suffer from dementia, with as many as 10 million new cases popping up every year.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, especially among the aged, and unfortunately, it is what Hornby’s grandmother has to endure every day.

Other patients may simply find drinking water unpalatable and choose to forget that consuming it is essential, especially if they don’t feel thirsty. Some may have also forgotten how to drink or swallow.

A patient in the last stages of dementia who is no longer getting adequate hydration due to any of the above-listed reasons usually requires the help of a caregiver. Among other things, the caregiver ensures they have water by providing water-laden foods and thickened or sweetened beverages.

Techniques need to be developed that can keep the patients from experiencing excessive thirst and the pain that comes with it. Lewis Hornby, the hero in this story, came to the rescue by realizing this early on.

Dementia patients suffering from dehydration are not quickly discovered because their symptoms are often attributed to their condition. When Hornby’s grandma was hospitalized, she had already been severely dehydrated, but after 24 hours of IV fluids, her health stats returned to normal.

He wanted to create something that would make it easier for his grandma to get the fluids she needed when she required them. This led to the bright idea that is now being considered as something that may help millions of people.

He also spoke with a dementia psychologist, spent one week living among patients in a dementia care home, consulted with specialists about how to create a hydrating product, and made many trips to the care home to test the prototypes of his little campaign.

He put his all in and eventually came up with what he chose to call Jelly Drops. They are brightly colored bite-sized balls containing a liquid easier to swallow than water.

The drops look very inviting thanks to the various colors they can come in, and can be picked up without using a utensil. They are firm, easy to grasp, and leave no residue on the hands.

According to Hornby, people with dementia seem to immediately recognize the Jelly drops as some kind of a treat because of how colorful they look. Rather than shy away from them, the patients enjoy eating them.

Hornby realized that the best way to overcome this challenge was to offer them treats that got them excited. They easily responded to this and recalled how to engage with them. He considered that the sweetness of these treats influenced their memories, making it easier to interact with them and find them later.

She had always had a sweet tooth, so he figured that a bright-colored jelly shaped like a raindrop was the best way to snag her attention and make her consume what he was offering in minutes. He was right.

He uses a clear plastic box that makes the Jelly drops totally visible to the patients, allowing them to see the treat without lifting the lid. This makes it easier for the patients to find the box if it is misplaced and easier to remember to eat.

A hinge locks the lid in an upright position, which means the other hand can be used to pick up the treats. This is especially important because dementia patients often have problems planning and executing action sequences.

The jelly drops, which look like raindrops, are firm to the grip and easy to pick up. Also, since they will need to be consumed regularly by patients who need them, Hornby needed to make them as organic as possible.

To that end, Hornby made the Jelly drops sugar-free; he left out any artificial coloring and made them vegan. They don’t have to be refrigerated either, but they are more refreshing when served chilled.

Some who would usually turn down other food types or drinks also warmed up to eating the Jelly drops, which is no mean feat because those with dementia can be very picky. According to Hornsby, the first time he offered the candy-looking drops to his granny, she ate up to seven of them in ten minutes, an equivalent of a cup of water.

So far, Jelly Drops have won the Helen Hamlyn Design Award, the Snowdon Award for Disability, and the Dyson School of Design Engineering DESIRE Award for Social Impact. The drops have also landed the Meaning-Centered Design Award and both the Audience and People’s Choice Awards at the 2019 Pitch@Palace.

Many have agreed that the Jelly Drops are a safe way to engage dementia patients and an effective solution to their constant dehydration.

Lewis Hornby’s Jelly drops are now a contender among solutions that can help millions of people all over the world. They can even be of use during emergencies. They could even see great application among those who live in arid regions where water is a luxury as it can be an easy way to move water around.

He is now the head of the Jelly Drops startup, and widely considered a hero for old dementia patients. On social media, many have lauded him for having such a thought, and the comment section is always full of people thanking him.

As it became more famous, many outside of the UK started talking about how sad it was that Jelly drops were only available to those in the UK. 

They have now launched a brand in the US as well so that more people who need it can have access to the miracle of Jelly Drops.

He found that solution, and now many other people stand a chance of benefitting from it. If the use of this healthy treat becomes widespread, Hornby’s name is one that history will never be forget.