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.
Linda Watson
saysIs there an update on the availability of these hydration jellys?
Corliss Johnson Patton
saysIt is my hope that Jelly Drops are marketed Sooner than Later this can actually save the lives of our loved ones...my mothers is a 81 year old dementia patient who flat out refuses to drink the fluids recommended to keep her hydrated her kidneys are in a crisis mode of failing if something such as Jelly Drops doesn't arrive and arrive soon
Jess
saysPlease get these in production Asap. I have been hearing about them for nearly 3years now and still waiting. I cant believe, there isnt anything already on the market. Such a massive part of keeping our loved ones healthy, so simple.
Jae Scarlett
saysCan’t wait to get these for my mom
She suffers severe dehydration and dementia
Anna Michele Hantler
saysKeep going ! An invention borne out of love and necessity has great chance of success! I tried to sign up to keep informed but page had errors, but I guess this organisation will keep us informed. My mother has levy body’s dementia , ( were in nz ) and regular get dehydrated so soft jelly looses sound ideal. Please use natural colourings and make vegan if possible and your market will go on for ever as millennials age !
Rivera
saysHola exelente idea pero quisiera saber cuando van ha salir a la vente
Brianna McLeod-Jones
saysMy grandmother is in a nursing home and has Alzheimer's and Dementia and I would love to be able to get these for her. Great idea and keep up the work and bringing these to life!
Leah
saysHere's how you know you have a good product. I saw a quick video about these at least a year ago, and when I found out this Thanksgiving that my Aunt has started refusing to drink liquids, this was the first thing I thought about. I hope these go into development soon.
AB
saysHow much longer till we are able to purchase? Every year I look online and it says they are still working on it.
Mari Hegarty
saysKudos!!! This is a perfect idea!! We all know how much the elderly love their sweets and not water! How clever! Can’t wait to buy these for my mom with Alzheimer’s! Thank you!
H
saysThis concept needs to be taken to the Health minister, but you need to have more exposure on Tv Internet GP’s finding a sponsor would be the first thing. Water 💦 jelly drops need to be made available to all with need off water ( medical ,disaster, drought, Nursing, Rest and the list goes on.
Sandra Hewitt
saysThese sound just what I am looking for for my Mum who has Dementia.
Are they available to buy yet?
Victoria
saysI have a family member dying from a Brain Tumor all we can do is try and make him comfortable but getting him to drink fluids has been very difficult. can’t wait to see these out on the market
Laura
saysI would love these for my 91 year old who suffering from Alzheimer’s and forgets to eat or drink. I can’t be there 24/7. These would be amazing also a massive help to my Aunty me and her career
Carol murrey
saysI am the manager of a care home and would love to be part of your trial with these jelly Drops