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.
Yacksimar
saysHola soy de Venezuela como puedo adquirir Jelly Drops
Mel Bletzer
saysI tried to get these for my gram after she was diagnosed with dementia but sadly at the time it was strictly uk shipping only. I really hope you guys get the opportunity to branch out further and help more people in the world. I think you guys do a lot of good for those who suffer from Alzheimers and Dementia with this product. Keep up the good work
Dianne
saysis it possible just to buy one or two jelly drops ,just to see if my sister will cope with the texture and flavour, she is in the latter stages of dementia .
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Dianne,
Unfortunately, there is no mention of being able to buy a single Jelly Drop currently.
According to the Jelly Drops website, you can purchase Jelly Drops in two ways. Either you can request a free tray and subscribe (with the option to cancel at any time), or you can buy a single tray as a one-off purchase. More information can be found on their website: https://www.jellydrops.com/products/shop-jelly-drops
We hope this helps.
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Jessica Person
saysAre these jelly drops available in the united states?
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Jessica,
Thanks for your interest in Jelly Drops.
Unfortunately, Jelly Drops are currently only available for shipping within the UK. But the team is working towards shipping internationally, starting with Europe and the USA.
To get updates on this, the team recommends signing up to its mailing list to be notified when they start shipping to your country: https://jellydrops.com/pages/sign-up
Hope this helps.
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Hi Jessica,
Just following up to let you know that Jelly Drops have now launched in the US. They are available to buy via the US website https://www.jellydrops.us/cart
Many thanks,
Alzheimer's Society website team
Tracy Moynihan
saysHi
Are these products available on prescription yet as my father in law definitely does not drink enough and it's a constant battle with fluids.How many jelly drops a day would you recommend?
Regards Tracy
Hi Tracy, thanks for getting in touch.
You may find this page on the Jelly Drops website helpful: https://support.jellydrops.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360014719820-What-is-t…-
The Jelly Drops team advise that Jelly Drops are classified as confectionery so they are not able to recommend a certain usage or dosage.
If you'd like to submit your question regarding availability via prescription, you can submit a request directly to the Jelly Drops team: https://support.jellydrops.com/hc/en-gb/requests/new
We hope this helps for now,
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Judith Farrow
saysHi Judith
You may find this page on the Jelly Drops website about recommended daily intake helpful: https://support.jellydrops.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360014719820-What-is-the-recommended-daily-intake-
The Jelly Drops team advises as follows:
'Jelly Drops are classified as confectionery so we're not able to recommend a certain usage or dosage, but we'll do our best to guide you.
'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.
'Usually, people start with just a few with each meal, to slowly build Jelly Drops into the routine. There's no right or wrong answer and as all Jelly Drops are 95% water, low-kcal and non-laxative, many people end up eating a tray or several pots per day.'
We hope this helps for now,
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Tonya harpole
saysCan we get the jelly drops in the usa im in Missouri and I work with alzheimers. Thanks
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Tonya,
Thanks for your interest in Jelly Drops.
Unfortunately, Jelly Drops are currently only available for shipping within the UK. But the team is working hard towards shipping internationally, starting with Europe and the USA.
For updates on this, the team recommends signing up to its mailing list to be notified when they start shipping to your country: https://jellydrops.com/pages/sign-up
Hope this helps,
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Hi Tonya,
Just following up to let you know that Jelly Drops have now launched in the US. They are available to buy via the US website https://www.jellydrops.us/cart
Many thanks,
Alzheimer's Society website team
Michael Preston
saysHi,
I am the Kiama Dementia Friendly Project Officer here in NSW Australia. This is an amazing breakthrough in addressing the issue of dehydration for people living with dementia. Are there any plans to export to Australia, I know so many people who would benefit from these drops.
Kind regards,
Michael Preston
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Michael,
Thanks for your comment, and interest in Jelly Drops!
Unfortunately, Jelly Drops are currently only available for shipping within the UK. But the team is currently working hard towards shipping internationally, starting with Europe and the USA.
For updates on when Jelly Drops may be coming to Australia and other parts of the world, the team recommends signing up to its mailing list: https://jellydrops.com/pages/sign-up
Hope this helps,
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Lucy Wills
saysHello is there any feed back with patients experiencing vivid hallucinations. We have been told the hallucinations are getting worse because my nan is dehydrated and not drinking enough. I have purchased some drops to see if they help but I wanted to know if anyone has experience with this.
Thank you
Amy Williamson
saysAs someone who works in a nursing home i think all nursing homes should have to have these i seen so many workers that forget certain patients have dementia and they for get to stay hydrated it would be awesome if these could be applied to all nursing homes nation wide all nursing homes need to be equipped with this it should be mandatory for nursing homes to have this and have every cna or nurse give thes to their patients when they are doing their rounds!!!!
Jacob Brown
saysIs there any shop, supermarket etc that sells these as personally I'd find it much easier buying them in person than ordering them online?
Alzheimer's Society
saysHi Jacob,
Thank you for your enquiry. Unfortunately, there is currently no mention of Jelly Drops being sold in shops or supermarkets.
According to the Jelly Drops website, you can purchase Jelly Drops in two ways. Either you can request a free tray and subscribe (with the option to cancel at any time), or you can buy a single tray as a one-off purchase. More information can be found on their website: https://www.jellydrops.com/products/shop-jelly-drops
Alternatively, you can contact the Jelly Drops team directly about your question here: https://support.jellydrops.com/hc/en-gb/requests/new
Hope this helps.
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Ian
saysHi, my Mum is late stage and is struggling to get water in but another issue is she has severe dysphagia. Would these be suitable for someone with sever difficulty swallowing?
Hi Ian, thanks for getting in touch.
You may find this page on the Jelly Drops website helpful: https://support.jellydrops.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360014763999-I-have-sw…-
The Jelly Drops team does not recommend these to people with swallowing difficulties.
Hope this helps for now,
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Rosemary
saysHi I work with family members whom suffer with dementia I do all the purée textures and stages I was wounded if if u could start me in the right direction on how I can make these in house pls or do u have to have a special mix
Hi Rosemary,
Thank you for your enquiry. Unfortunately, the recipe for Jellydrops is not available, but you are able to purchase trays online via their website:
https://www.jellydrops.com/
For other enquiries about Jelly Drops, you can also contact the Jelly Drops team directly here: https://support.jellydrops.com/hc/en-gb/requests/new
Hope this helps.
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Kalesh
saysHi There my dad has dementia and is really bad at drinking water. Getting urine infection. We take care of him at home so its hard for our mum. Don't you ship it elsewhere . I wouldnt mind buying it online. My dad lives in New Zealand.
Hi Kalesh,
Thanks for your interest.
Unfortunately, Jelly Drops are currently only available for shipping within the UK. The team is now working hard towards shipping internationally, starting with Europe and the USA.
Instead, the team recommends signing up to its mailing list to be notified when they start shipping to your country: https://jellydrops.com/pages/sign-up
Hope this helps,
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Lisa Gray
saysCan you get these in the United States?
Hi Lisa,
Not at the moment, but the Jelly Drops team is working hard towards shipping internationally, starting with Europe and the United States.
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
They don't have a time frame to share yet.
We hope this helps.
-
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Hi Lisa,
Just following up to let you know that Jelly Drops have now launched in the US. They are available to buy via the US website https://www.jellydrops.us/cart
Many thanks,
Alzheimer's Society website team
Katrina Boon
saysCan I get a sample ? Dont want to commit until I can be assured that it will be of benefit
Hi Katrina,
Thanks for your question.
There is an option on the Jelly Drops website for a free tray when you subscribe. All you have to pay is the postage (£3.95) on your first tray, and then you select how often they are delivered afterwards, or you can cancel this or change the frequency at any time.
https://www.jellydrops.com/products/shop-jelly-drops
That might be a good option if you want to see if they're helpful first. Otherwise the price starts at £7.95 to order a single tray of Jelly Drops.
Hope this is helpful,
Alzheimer's Society blog team