Acceptability and feasibility of Jelly Drops™ in people with dementia
People with dementia often lose their sense of thirst or forget to drink, which can lead to serious dehydration and hospital stays. Jelly Drops™ are bite-sized, water-filled sweets created to make getting enough fluids easier and more enjoyable. This NHS study explores whether offering Jelly Drops™ on hospital wards helps patients stay hydrated. Staff at Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust will offer the sweets to patients three to four times a day, alongside their usual treatment. Ward staff will track hydration levels using standard daily checks, such as fluid charts and skin tests. Researchers also want to learn what people think of the sweets. Patients, family carers, and healthcare staff will be invited to share their experiences in a one-off interview. The goal is to see if Jelly Drops™ can become a practical, everyday tool in dementia care.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Staying hydrated is vital for health, but it can be a daily struggle for people living with dementia. Many people lose their natural sense of thirst, or they may simply forget to pick up a glass of water even when a drink is placed right in front of them. When someone becomes dehydrated, it can cause confusion, infections, falls, and emergency hospital stays. For family members and care staff, trying to keep a loved one hydrated can feel like an uphill battle.
To help solve this problem, a special confectionery called Jelly Drops™ was created. These are bright, bite-sized sweets made mostly of water. Because they look and feel like a treat, people are often more willing to eat them independently without needing constant reminders to drink.
This study, called the AQUA trial, is testing how well Jelly Drops™ work in a real-world hospital setting. Researchers want to know if patients enjoy eating them, if ward staff find them easy to hand out, and whether they make a noticeable difference to hydration levels. By gathering views from patients, relatives, and NHS staff, the study aims to find out if this simple idea can improve quality of life and dementia care on hospital wards.
Key takeaways
- Tests whether water-filled Jelly Drops™ help prevent dehydration on hospital dementia wards.
- Open to eligible inpatients at Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust.
- Involves eating the sweets 3 to 4 times a day alongside usual hospital care.
- Patients, family carers, and NHS staff will be invited to give feedback in a one-off interview.
- People with known swallowing problems cannot participate for safety reasons.
Who may be eligible?
This study is taking place on specific older adult mental health and dementia inpatient wards within Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust. Patients receiving routine care on these wards who have a diagnosis of dementia may be able to take part.
Because this study also looks at how easy and helpful the sweets are to use, family carers of eligible patients and the NHS healthcare staff working on the wards are also invited to join the interview part of the study. All participants must be aged 16 or older.
Patients cannot take part if they have known swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), as solid sweets could pose a choking risk. People may also be excluded if the medical team feels participating would be unsafe, or if taking part would cause undue stress or burden.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Currently an inpatient on a participating older adult ward at RDaSH NHS Trust
- Have a diagnosed form of dementia (or be a family carer/staff member of a patient)
- Aged 16 years or older
- Able to swallow food and sweets safely without difficulty
- Willing to take part or have a family member agree to act as a consultee
What does participation involve?
If a patient takes part, Jelly Drops™ will be offered to them by ward staff three to four times a day during their hospital stay. Taking part will not stop or change any of their normal hospital treatments, medicines, or daily routines.
Staff will monitor hydration using regular nursing checks that are already part of routine care. These include looking at fluid charts, checking skin condition, and tracking urine and bowel habits. If routine blood tests are taken as part of regular hospital care, these results may also be reviewed to check hydration levels.
Patients, family carers, and staff will also be invited to complete a single, short interview with a researcher. This conversation will give everyone a chance to share what they thought about the sweets, whether they were easy to use, and if they noticed any benefits. Taking part lasts for the duration of the patient's stay on the ward.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation TrustCity onlyDoncaster, England
Common questions
What are Jelly Drops™?
Jelly Drops™ are bite-sized, sugar-free sweets made mostly of water. They were specially created to help people who struggle to drink enough water stay hydrated.
Will taking part change standard medical care?
No. Jelly Drops™ are offered in addition to normal food, drinks, and medical treatments. Your usual hospital care remains exactly the same.
Can someone take part if they cannot give consent themselves?
Yes. If a person with dementia cannot fully understand the study details, a family member or nominated representative can act as a consultee to help decide if joining is right for them.
Are there extra blood tests or painful procedures?
No. The study only uses information gathered from standard, routine nursing checks and tests that the hospital would carry out anyway.
Can I leave the study if I change my mind?
Yes. You or your family member can stop taking part at any time without giving a reason, and your medical care will not be affected.
How to find out more
Jeannie McKie
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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