Alzheimer’s Society has supported the development of Jelly Drops, bite-sized sweets designed to increase your water intake. Find out about the latest progress on the development of this exciting product.
This article was first published on 14 June 2019 and updated on 13 July 2020.
What are Jelly Drops?
Jelly Drops are a bite-sized, sugar-free sweets containing 95 per cent water and added electrolytes.
They were invented by Lewis Hornby, who was inspired by his 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 Jelly Drops team have worked alongside people with dementia, doctors and dementia psychologists to develop their fantastic product.
Alzheimer’s Society is delighted to have partnered with Lewis and the Jelly Drops team over the last year through our Accelerator Programme.
We are excited to announce that the Jelly Drops team have begun to deliver their fantastic product.
Lewis Hornby and his grandmother.
How Jelly Drops have helped people during the coronavirus pandemic
During the coronavirus pandemic, the Jelly Drops team have worked even harder to make their water sweets available to the most vulnerable people in our society.
People living in care homes have been a primary concern for the Jelly Drops team during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Jelly Drops team are also helping to cater to a small number of NHS coronavirus hospital wards, not just for the patients but also for the NHS staff. Members of staff are finding that long shifts and personal protective equipment (PPE) often leave them feeling dehydrated.
Dehydration and dementia
Dehydration is a common challenge for older people, and especially those 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.
The Jelly Drops team.
How can I get some Jelly Drops?
There has been a huge demand for Jelly Drops since they were first introduced to the public in June 2019.
Since then, the Jelly Drops team have been building up large-scale production as fast as they can.
You can now order Jelly Drops online, either as a one-off purchase or subscription.
To get hold of your own Jelly Drops, visit the Jelly Drops website today.
Order Jelly Drops today
You can buy a single tray of Jelly Drops, or start a subscription via the website.
Cressida Tuson
saysCan you tell me how many of these can be eaten a day. What are they equivalent to in terms of a glass of water? Thanks
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Cressida, thanks for your comment.
You may find this page on the Jelly Drops website helpful: https://support.jellydrops.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360014719820-What-is-t…
Jelly Drops aren't intended as a water replacement, but as a ‘booster’. There is 300ml in a pack and one tray is the recommended limit per day.
Hope this helps,
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Bryn Torrington
saysDoes anyone know where Jelly Drops is. Deliveries cannot be made to a PO Box number and they do not seem to publish a telephone number
Bonita C. Osbon
saysI will certainly give these a try as keeping my Mother hydrated is a task in itself. This is a good Idea and I hope you can also use this idea to make them smaller for pills with a fluid inside to assist in dissolving them so they are easier to swallow. We have the worst time with this and it only gets worse from her on out. Hope you will use this suggestion and send me a sample for her pill intake as soon as they are out! Yeah, someone who is thinking. We appreciate you.
Jenni Connaughton
saysJust come across these. There is no information about how much water is in them and how many advised to take each day. Can you help please?
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Jenni, thanks for your comment.
You may find this page on the Jelly Drops website helpful:
https://support.jellydrops.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360014719820-What-is-t…-
Jelly Drops aren't intended as a water replacement, but as a ‘booster’. There is 300ml in a pack and one tray is the recommended limit per day.
Hope this helps,
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Z. Lane
saysHi
I have purchased some of the drops but the date has recently expired , are they still safe to eat ?
Alzheimer's Society
saysHello,
Thanks for getting in touch. The Jelly Drops team has advised us that the drops should not be eaten after the use by date.
Thanks,
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Debra Raven
saysI would love these for my mom, how can we get in Colorado USA?
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Debra,
The Jelly Drops team are working hard towards shipping internationally, starting with Europe and the US, but they don't have a time frame to share yet.
Instead, on their FAQs page (https://www.jellydrops.com/apps/help-center#!hc-international-shipping) they recommend signing up to their mailing list to be notified of updates regarding international shipping: https://www.jellydrops.com/pages/sign-up
We hope this helps.
-
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Terry M. Wilson
saysMy Name is Terry Wilson, i live in Denver, Colorado,My Dad has Dementia since 2013, this would be great for him, do they deliver or ship to The United States?? How do I go about having or getting them ordered and shipped??
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Terry,
Thanks for getting in touch.
The Jelly Drops team are working hard towards shipping internationally, starting with Europe and the US, but they don't have a time frame to share yet.
According to their FAQs page (https://www.jellydrops.com/apps/help-center#!hc-international-shipping), in the meantime, they recommend signing up to their mailing list to be notified of updates regarding international shipping: https://www.jellydrops.com/pages/sign-up
We hope this helps.
-
Alzheimer's Society blog team
sharon vigus
saysCan you freeze them
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Sharon, thanks for getting in touch.
The Jelly Drops team advise against freezing the drops.
Within their FAQs (https://www.jellydrops.com/apps/help-center#!hc-how-should-i-store-jell…), the team recommend storing the drops “in a cool dark place (no need to refrigerate). Once opened, remove film fully. 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. Consume the drops within seven days and remember to recycle your finished trays!”
We hope this helps.
-
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Hillari Cauthen
saysWhen will these be available in the US?
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Hillari,
The Jelly Drops team are working hard towards shipping internationally, starting with Europe and the US, but they don't have a time frame to share yet.
In the meantime, they recommend signing up to their mailing list to be notified of updates regarding international shipping: https://www.jellydrops.com/pages/sign-up
We hope this helps.
-
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Stephanie
saysSuperb idea - congratulations and well done
Charla Webb
saysI just tried to order but it said it’s only available in United Kingdom and I live in the United States of America. I really would like to order these!! I work with a lot of Dementia/Alzheimer Patients. I tried to find a phone number for you and couldn’t find one anywhere?? Please advise if I can order. Thx, Charla Webb 🙂👍🏻🙏🏻
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Charla,
Thanks for getting in touch.
The Jelly Drops team are working hard towards shipping internationally, starting with Europe and the US, but they don't have a time frame to share yet.
According to their FAQs page (https://www.jellydrops.com/apps/help-center#!hc-international-shipping), in the meantime, they recommend signing up to their mailing list to be notified of updates regarding international shipping: https://www.jellydrops.com/pages/sign-up
We hope this helps.
-
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Sharon Gilmour
saysMy Dad is constantly forgetting to drink and is dehydrated as a result. Is it possible to buy these or for him to be party to any trial?
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Sharon, thanks for your comment.
The Jelly Drops are now available to buy, either as a one-off or subscription. You can find more details and order via the website: https://jellydrops.com/products/shop-jelly-drops
Hope this helps,
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Nancy Bexker
saysCan’t get them shipped to US. Are you working with Amazon or another distributor to get these in US? Would love to try them for my husband who doesn’t drink enough water and likes sweets. Dehydration makes his already low normal BP worse. Thank you.
Heather
saysI saw these jelly drops today when given to my brother who has Hepatic Encephalopathy with dementia type symptoms. His fluid intake his low and when he was given one of these jelly drops (Raspberry) today his face simply lit up and the sounds he made were of pure enjoyment. Seems like a great innovation. Good luck with getting them more widely available. UK
Catherine
sayssome hydration methods I have found useful that can be purchased:
jelly/Jell O in the US - this can be bought in sugarfree low cal versions and are high in water
adding sugar/salt combination to water (if they can/will still drink). There are recipes available online
Rehydration powder- I usually buy this from a health food store locally. I would add it to a favoured food or Jelly/Jell O
These are just some options you could try (with clearance from medical professionals first)
Jose
saysWhy are these still in development? It's been years! My mom is now at a severe stage of dimentia and won't drink or swallow water.
Barbara Leggett.
saysI know my Husband will not drink water or very little . With that he constantly has constipation and it is not a good thing which i told the nurse today . I will have to mention these jelly sweets to them. Wether or not they will get them i don't know. I will have to try and get them myself.
Sarah
saysI've just bought some today on their site, jellydrops.com
Mary Ann Scadding
saysPlease tell me where and when I can purchase these?