Research

Jelly Drops sweets to tackle dehydration in dementia

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Wow so simple yet so effective well done ! I hope to see them available very soon I know it work well for my mum

I think the jelly sweets are a great and innovative. I hope these are marketed soon

What a great idea. Definately would help keep my Mother better hydrated. If you want anyone to try them for marketing research please let me know.

Great idea but I would be cautious re. their use with a population in which swallowing difficulties are prevalent. Could pose a large choking risk. Would be interested to find out more and trial their texture.

We would love to test run these in our EMI home we have 74 residents all with varying degrees of dementia and although we really encourage fluid I take if the resident refuses then its is very difficult to keep them hydrated most of our lovely ladies and gents have a sweet tooth so this would go down a storm for sure xx

What a fantastic idea. My mother loved sugary jellies in her last few years and having hydrating ones would have been even better. Well done Jelly Drops team.

These would have a wider application that just people with dementia. But I would be interested in how they are flavoured and sweetened. Can they be given to diabetics for instance?

Many people with dementia also suffer from diabetes. Wouldn't it be sweet if Jelly Drops could be diabetic-friendly too?! Good luck!
(PS it may be worthwhile to state on the packaging, depending on the sugar content and eating instructions, "not suitable for diabetics".)

Jelly drops they are going to be a God send to all concerned. Brilliant idea

A great idea as it is a constant issue to try to keep people hydrated despite best intentions. Often people will take a 'sweet' as its small but will refuse a drink out of fear of incontinence. I wish you the very best of luck.

Simple, brilliant!

A great idea! But I would also ecco please make them diabetes friendly.

A wonderful idea but I am curious how the development and marketing of these will be controlled to ensure they are safe for or are not given to somebody with a swallowing difficulty who requires texture modified fluids or diet. The risk being aspiration pneumonia. I will be very interested to see how this product develops. I wish you every success in its development.

I cannot wait to see the progress of Jelly Drops they will be so invaluable to those who need redydration

Great idea That will good for my mom

Great idea but as an oral health promoter I am also hoping they are sugar free. People with dementia do not always remember to brush their teeth, and later into the disease, are resistant to carers helping with tooth brushing. This may have a detrimental effect on their health as the oral bacteria is breathed in and also travels around the body in the blood.

I am a dentist who treats people with Dementia - its is not clear if this product contains sugar?
If it does it should not be given to people with teeth, The caries (decay) risk is just too high.

My colleagues tried these at this year's 'expo' at the NEC - they were apparently fantastic!

A lovely idea BUT ........we have to be careful , exactly as the few comments mentioned by DR'S, dentist's,& Health experts. We have to be careful who we give these sweets etc to, too much sugar /fat,
should not be allowed, which is in some sweets , not milk chocolate only dark chocolate etc. what a lovely thought from the chap who was thinking about our lovely older friends. Fingers crossed he will come up with the right recipe, Margaret Park best wishes..

What a fantastic well thought out idea

Fantastic idea. My Mum is constantly dehydrated but loves sweets. At 90 years old I’m not going to stop her having a sweet treat if that’s what makes her happy!

I agree with all the above re size, content and need for healthy ingredients.When will they be on the market? Please make the price feasible for a weekly 'treat'. If you are still in need of marketing volunteers, I can offer our group to help.

I think they are a fantastic idea, my mum had dementia and we had real trouble getting her to drink and she was constantly dehydrated. I’m sure she would have loved these as she did have a sweet tooth. Good luck with your amazing idea

Wish these were out now. Am from New Zealand and the dementia home I work in has currently got a few cases of residents who are, or have been unwell with the flu and not eating and drinking well as a result. These would have been a God send we try to encourage them to have plenty of fluids but most often say no but will take a lolly when offered. Will be watching out for these in the future

I would love my mum to trial the Jelly Drops, de-hydration is crippling her mentally on a daily basis :(

This is awesome! Something definitely needed. I would also love these as I am dehydrated from cancer and my surgeries. I can no longer digest or absorb. Can’t wait to be able to buy these. This is a wonderful idea!!!

hi sounds like a great idea, would like to know like others if they are suitable for diabetic diet and also if they are suitable for vegetarians or vegans?

Nice idea, but I really hope the needs of people with dementia who experience dysphagia are considered. Alongside swallowing difficulties, many people with dysphagia forget food in their mouths while eating - these sizable (and it appears sticky) sweeties could pose a real risk if given to the wrong client.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share your queries and concerns about Jelly Drops. We are really excited to be supporting the Jelly Drops team to bring their product to people affected by dementia, and your comments are invaluable.

Over the next year, we will be working with the team to make sure these types of concerns, such as sugar levels and swallowing risks, are taken into account. We will ensure people affected by dementia are involved in the development of the product. We’ll keep you updated with the all the latest developments.

Thanks again, everyone.

What a fab idea. They would have been great for my mum
Well done

sounds good. Do they contain any sugar? How long do they take to be dissolved in the mouth and swallowed? - Senior dental nurse

When and where can these Jelly Drops be purchased when they come to market

I'd let my husband trial them if you need volunteers.

Cannot wait for these to be released. Hard to get my mum to drink but never refuses sweet things :)

Please let us know when they are available. My father really needs these

Will these jelly sweets be ok for diabetics who suffer with dementia. Be fantastic if they will.

Fantastic idea. My husband has early vascular dementia& has a very sweet tooth! Can’t wait to get these for him.

love this idea. I would like to know when they will be available and if I can find them where I live, in Puerto Rico. Thank you

I love this initiative. I would like to know when they will be available and if I can get them, I am from Puerto Rico. Thanks to the people who have supported this.

What a fantastic idea, my relatives would have benefited from these.

Thank you

Fantastic idea I work for a charity tackling loneliness working with some people who have dementia and their families so would like to keep updated

Great idea! Love it😊

Great idea and a wonderful source of liquid intake but .... my 95year old mother with advanced Alzheimer’s can no longer use her dentures so the jelly drop needs to melt in the mouth to avoid choking.

What a brilliant idea. This would be very helpful in Australia where we have extreme heat!

As an oral health Improvement Specialist I too am concerned about the sugar content of this product. Whilst I completely understand the issue of low fluid I risks and the issues surrounding this. Patients with dementia often have very dry mouths resulting in more risk of tooth decay and gum disease along with other oral conditions. Some dementia medications also cause dry mouth so I am pleased that you are aware of these risks and considering them as part of the development of this product. I understand the huge risk for patients when fluid intake is reduced and the impact this can have.
Also oral care can be neglected in care homes due to lack of training or support for staff and absence of oral assessments or documentation of oral care. With the release of “Smiling Matters” we hope this will start to change.
Let’s use this as an opportunity to raise the profile of the importance of good oral health for everyone.

This sounds like a fantastic aid for people at risk of dehydration. My husband was hospitalised last year with it. Although probably not something that should be considered a replacement for liquids it is certainly an innovative bonus. It will also be useful for people like my husband who suffers from drooling and was advised to suck sweets to help to control it. These sound like a more healthy way to achieve this.

What a super idea - and not just for people with dementia. We were always trying to get my elderly mother to drink enough.