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Jelly Drops: award-winning sweets that boost hydration
Alzheimer’s Society has supported the development of Jelly Drops, delicious bite-sized sweets, designed to boost health and hydration. Jelly Drops have helped over 80,000 people living with dementia.
What are Jelly Drops?
Jelly Drops sweets are 95% water. They're sugar-free and enriched with electrolytes and vitamins, offering an easy and tasty way to support hydration.
They were invented by Lewis Hornby, who was inspired by his late grandmother and her love for sweets. Lewis developed bright, raindrop-shaped sweets as an easy way to increase her daily water intake.
Lewis and his team have worked alongside people with dementia, doctors and dementia psychologists to develop their fantastic product.
Lewis Hornby and his late grandmother, Pat
Alzheimer’s Society is delighted to have partnered with Lewis and the Jelly Drops team through our Accelerator Programme during the product's development.
Since launching in July 2020, we have been excited to see Jelly Drops reaching people living with dementia who need them. They're also now available across the US and Canada, as well as here in the UK.
Dehydration and dementia
Dehydration is a common challenge for older people, and especially people with dementia. Memory problems mean that people living with dementia can often forget to drink enough water.
What’s more, the part of the brain that tells you when you’re thirsty doesn’t always work properly. Unfortunately, this can lead to confusion and even hospitalisation.
Jelly Drops are solid but with a smooth texture - they don’t have a liquid centre or pop when eaten.
How the sweets have evolved
Following insightful customer feedback, Jelly Drops have evolved from their original tray format to the snack pot format which is easier to hold and uses 50 per cent less packaging.
Each pot contains the equivalent of 50ml of water, meaning 3 servings a day delivers a 150ml hydration boost.
Jelly Drops also now contain essential B-complex vitamins to support psychological function and immunity, delivering hydration and a boost of vitamins via the same innovative format.
The water sweets come in six fruity flavours: orange, peach, blackcurrant, strawberry, lemon and raspberry. They're solid but with a smooth texture - they don’t have a liquid centre or pop when eaten.
Colin Capper, Associate Director of Evidence and Participation at Alzheimer's Society said,
"It’s wonderful to see how the Jelly Drops team have continued to improve their offering, helping people living with dementia stay hydrated."
"Snackpots make Jelly Drops more affordable, eco-friendly and accessible, which will hopefully help to reach even more people in the future."
The Jelly Drops team.
Order Jelly Drops today
You can buy Jelly Drops on the Alzheimer's Society shop through the link below. Or, get a free trial when you start a discounted subscription through the Jelly Drops website.
Lynne
saysAndrea Griffith
saysGloria
saysLottie Mercer
saysAndrea Griffith
saysCynthia L Salinis
saysRicky Houtris
saysSarah Anne
saysAnonymous
saysHi Sarah,
Thanks for your comment. We'd recommend contacting the Jelly Drops team directly: https://support.jellydrops.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360015811259-We-d-love-to-hear-from-you-Ways-to-get-in-touch
Hope that helps.
Alzheimer's Society website team
John Schuetze
saysAnonymous
saysHi John,
You may find this page on the Jelly Drops website helpful: https://support.jellydrops.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360014719820-What-is-the-recommended-daily-intake-
The Jelly Drops team mentions:
'Our original drops available in trays contain 12.5ml of water and Snackpot drops are a wee bit smaller in size and contain 10ml of water per drop.'
We hope this helps for now,
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Rose Marie Daloia
saysJane VeganforAnimals,Planet,&Health Alexander
says
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Jane
Thank you for your comment and question. You can find the latest information on Jelly Drops, including their shelf life and whether they need to be refrigerated, in the 'Frequently Asked Questions' sections of the Jelly Drops website: https://support.jellydrops.com/hc/en-gb/sections/360003521440-FAQs
We hope this helps and is useful.
Alzheimer's Society web team
Hazel
saysAnonymous
saysHi Hazel
You may find this page on the Jelly Drops website helpful: https://support.jellydrops.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360014763999-Are-Jelly-Drops-suitable-for-those-with-swallowing-difficulties-
The Jelly Drops team mentions:
'Jelly Drops are soft, denture-friendly and easy to chew, similar to a traditional jelly, but do not dissolve or bust as you might expect. This means they must be chewed thoroughly before swallowing.'
There is currently no information about whether smaller Jelly Drops are being considered. This could be a question to put forward to the Jelly Drops team through their website: https://support.jellydrops.com/hc/en-gb/requests/new
We hope this helps for now,
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Kelsey
saysAnonymous
saysHi Kelsey, thanks for getting in touch.
You may find this page on the Jelly Drops website helpful: https://support.jellydrops.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360015790360-Do-Jelly-Drops-need-to-be-refrigerated-
Here's what the team advises:
'Jelly Drops do not need to be stored in the fridge. You can if you'd like to, though. Many in our community enjoy them straight from the fridge as a refreshing, cooling snack. They're just not suitable for freezing.
'When snacking throughout the day, you can leave the lid off for easy access. When storing, please cover with the lid again to keep the drops juicy.
'For both the trays and pots, once the seal is broken consume the drops within seven days and please remember to recycle!'
We hope this helps for now,
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Kirsty
saysKaren Lawson
saysHarriet
saysIs good to see that there are other ways for them to have fluid in their body.
Penelope Morris
saysThese would be so good in Australia I do hope they can be exported here soon. They Sound like a brilliant idea .🤗
JANETTE
saysI can hardly believe this has happened! For the last seven weeks my husband has increasingly had problems sleeping. Severe confusion and anxiety for hours on end during the night. We had him tested for an UTI but that was clear. Dehydration was next on the list but increased fluids didn't seem to help. Jelly drops arrived yesterday and I gave him 4 throughout the day. Last night he slept for 14 hours! Electrolytes?? Is that the secret? Here's hoping he has another good night's sleep tonight!