White Oaks, the senior living division of Compass Group UK & Ireland, has launched an innovative new hydration range designed specifically to support the wellbeing of older adults through a unique sensory-led approach.
Tackling dehydration in later life
Hydration remains one of the most significant nutritional challenges in later life. As people age, both appetite and thirst naturally decline, making it more difficult for people to consume enough food and fluids to meet their nutritional needs. Dehydration can have serious consequences for older individuals including increasing the risk of falls, and contributing to or causing issues such as confusion, urinary tract infections, kidney failure and a higher risk of falls.
To support care homes and assisted living facilities to help residents with hydration, White Oaks has been trialling its new Circadian Hydration Range – a collection of drinks designed around the rhythm of the day. The drinks have been created to offer a varied sensory experience by incorporating different tastes, aromas, temperatures and presentation styles. The range is now being rolled out across the wider White Oaks estate.
The Circadian Hydration Range focuses on three areas:
Sunrise Revive
The fresh juice-based drink is designed to gently stimulate the body and prepare it for the day ahead. The refreshing drink includes ingredients such as ginger, which supports digestion and citrus flavours which may help appetite and digestion. Plus fresh aromatic ingredients, including mint and rosemary help stimulate the senses and contribute to mental alertness. Turmeric is also included which is known for its mild anti-inflammatory properties.
Midday Boost
This smoothie style drink has been created to provide nourishment and sustained energy throughout the day. Key ingredients include fortified milk and yoghurt to deliver protein and calcium, chia seeds add fibre and texture, banana provides natural sweetness and energy, while oats support more stable energy levels. Spinach contributes micronutrients – maintaining an appealing flavour profile. The result is a nutrient-dense drink that supports muscle maintenance and overall wellbeing in a manageable serving size.
Moonlight Calm
Developed to help relaxation in the evening and support better rest. In this nighttime hot drink, warm milk provides familiarity and comfort. Chamomile is widely associated with relaxation, while ingredients like nutmeg and honey add warmth and depth of flavour, and ginger supports digestion. Together, these ingredients create a calming end-of-day experience designed to encourage fluid intake while supporting comfort and wellbeing.
Combining nutritional science with sensory engagement
Darren Neal, Head of Culinary at White Oaks commented: “Eating and drinking engage all of our senses, and together with our Dietitians we’ve developed our Circadian Hydration Range, which goes beyond hydration alone to create a more engaging experience. Our trials across several sites were successful, so we’re now working with our partners within assisted living and care homes to bring this to more residents across the UK and help overall wellbeing.”
Valentina Giannelli, Dietitian at White Oaks, said: “One of the biggest challenges in later living nutrition is that appetite and thirst naturally decline with age. We need to find ways to deliver enough nutrition and hydration in smaller, more appealing portions that residents genuinely want to consume. The Circadian Hydration Range is about much more than fluids – it combines nutritional science with sensory engagement, creating an enjoyable experience that encourages people to drink regularly and supports their health and wellbeing.”
