Dementia Support Line
Research
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.
Currently, Jelly Drops are only recommended to people without swallowing difficulties. If you have swallowing difficulties, please consult a Speech and Language Therapist prior to use.
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.
Wendy Burt
saysA great idea! But I would also ecco please make them diabetes friendly.
Ann Ayton
saysSimple, brilliant!
Vicki Shaw
saysA 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.
Paula
saysJelly drops they are going to be a God send to all concerned. Brilliant idea
AJB
saysMany 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".)
Gerard Scully
saysThese 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?
Sara Gregson
saysWhat 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.
Lynda smith
saysWe 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
Emma
saysGreat 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.
Lee
saysI currently do these at the care home where I work. As you pointed out tho at present they are not suitable for people with Dysphasia.
Laraine Parmenter
saysI think you mean Dysphagia!
The term DysphaSIA is a speech/language issue.
Ria
saysWhat do you use now? Is it something anyone can buy? My great aunt desperately needs something like this as she never drinks enough water unless someone is there telling her take a sip to every 10 minutes. Would be amazing to get something to help. Thanks
John Yates
saysExcellent comment. One has to think "out of the box " particularly when dealing with this type of condition.
Gill Adams
saysWhat 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.
Dee Smart
saysI think the jelly sweets are a great and innovative. I hope these are marketed soon
Kim
saysWow so simple yet so effective well done ! I hope to see them available very soon I know it work well for my mum