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.
Pauline Martinson
saysAre these suitable for diabetics and people with several other medical conditions?
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Pauline, thanks for your comment.
You may find this page on the Jelly Drops website helpful: https://support.jellydrops.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360014763519-I-have-di…
Jelly Drops contain no sugar and only 14 g of carbs per box, but the Jelly Drops team still recommend consulting with a medical professional if you have any concerns.
We hope this helps,
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Robin
saysWHEN will these be available in the US? I am so excited that they are available for purchase… I just can’t get them here in the states…♥️
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Robin,
It's great to hear you're excited about Jelly Drops! The team are working hard towards shipping internationally, starting with Europe and the United States, but they don't have a time frame to share yet.
Instead, on their FAQs page (https://support.jellydrops.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360014763479-Where-do-…) 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.
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Alzheimer's Society blog team
Elaine
saysPlease can I check these are suitable for people with Diabetes? I know they say sugar free but I just want to be sure as they will be great for my Mum but she is a diabetic.
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Elaine, thanks for your comment.
You may find this page on the Jelly Drops website helpful: https://support.jellydrops.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360014763519-I-have-di…-
As you've mentioned, Jelly Drops contain no sugar and only 14 g of carbs per box, but the Jelly Drops team still recommend consulting with a medical professional if you have any concerns.
We hope this helps,
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Alta Miller
saysWhen can I get these delivered to me in the United States?
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Alta,
The Jelly Drops team are working hard towards shipping internationally, starting with Europe and the United States, but they don't have a time frame to share yet.
Instead, on their FAQs page (https://support.jellydrops.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360014763479-Where-do-…-) 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
Janice Brown
saysCan I ask about the use of these jelly drops for Individuals who also need a specialised modified diet consistency - would there be a choking risk? Do they dissolve in the person’s mouth?
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Janice, thanks for your comment.
You may find this page on the Jelly Drops website helpful: https://support.jellydrops.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360014719800-What-s-th…-
Even though they’re 95% water, Jelly Drops don’t ‘burst’ as you may expect. They are solid throughout but still super easy to chew.
The Jelly Drops team only recommend these to people without swallowing difficulties. If you are concerned about swallowing difficulties, please consult a Speech and Language Therapist prior to use.
Hope this helps,
Alzheimer's Society blog team
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
Chris Hornby
saysYou can contact jelly drop by there website, they are very responsive and very helpful. Fabulous product my mother loves them 😊
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
Christine Sparrowhawk
saysI had some for my mother but the date ran out before we could use all of them. Short use by date . Taste was not quite as we had hoped and drop difficult to pick up.They kept slipping out of fingers when getting out of the tray. To eat a whole tray for the 300ml is quite challenging for dementia Carer . Mum liked the colours though. It’s a really good concept but would be better with liquid inside I feel. If chewing is a problem I’m not sure these would melt quick enough as a lot of dementia sufferers forget to chew. It’s such a good idea and hopefully you will do well though.
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.
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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