Dementia Support Line
Jelly Drops 'water sweets' help to boost daily water intake
Alzheimer’s Society has supported the development of Jelly Drops, award-winning bite-sized sweets designed to increase your water intake. Jelly Drops have been helping people with dementia with an easy and tasty way to support their hydration independently.
What are Jelly Drops?
Jelly Drops are bite-sized, sugar-free sweets containing 95 per cent water and added electrolytes.
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 Jelly Drops 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.
What's new from the Jelly Drops team?
Following further research and development, the team have recently launched new Jelly Drops Snackpots. These are an alternative version of the popular sweet's Original Tray.
Snackpots are cheaper, easier to hold, use 50 per cent less packaging and have an enhanced flavour.
Jelly Drops are solid but with a smooth texture - they don’t have a liquid centre or pop when eaten.
'It’s wonderful to see how the Jelly Drops team have continued to improve their offering, helping people living with dementia stay hydrated', said Colin Capper, Associate Director of Evidence and Participation at Alzheimer's Society.
‘Snackpots make Jelly Drops more affordable, eco-friendly and accessible, which will hopefully help to reach even more people in the future.'
Watch a 35-second video about Jelly Drops
How Jelly Drops have helped people during coronavirus
During the 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 also helped 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 found that the long shifts and personal protective equipment (PPE) often left them feeling dehydrated.
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.
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. The Jelly Drops team have been building up large scale production as fast as they can, and as of April 2022 they have launched in the USA.
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 Jelly Drops Trays or Snackpots through their website, or get a free trial when you start a discounted subscription.
This article was first published on 14 June 2019 and last updated on 26 April 2022.
Lynne
saysAndrea Griffith
saysGloria
saysLottie Mercer
saysAndrea Griffith
saysCynthia L Salinis
saysRicky Houtris
saysSarah Anne
says
Alzheimer's Society
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
says
Alzheimer's Society
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
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
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!