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.
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 🙂👍🏻🙏🏻
Hi 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
Hi Charla,
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
Sharon Gilmour
saysMy Dad is constantly forgetting to drink and is dehydrated as a result. Is it possible to buy these or for him to be party to any trial?
Hi Sharon, thanks for your comment.
The Jelly Drops are now available to buy, either as a one-off or subscription. You can find more details and order via the website: https://jellydrops.com/products/shop-jelly-drops
Hope this helps,
Alzheimer's Society blog team
Nancy Bexker
saysCan’t get them shipped to US. Are you working with Amazon or another distributor to get these in US? Would love to try them for my husband who doesn’t drink enough water and likes sweets. Dehydration makes his already low normal BP worse. Thank you.
Heather
saysI saw these jelly drops today when given to my brother who has Hepatic Encephalopathy with dementia type symptoms. His fluid intake his low and when he was given one of these jelly drops (Raspberry) today his face simply lit up and the sounds he made were of pure enjoyment. Seems like a great innovation. Good luck with getting them more widely available. UK
Catherine
sayssome hydration methods I have found useful that can be purchased:
jelly/Jell O in the US - this can be bought in sugarfree low cal versions and are high in water
adding sugar/salt combination to water (if they can/will still drink). There are recipes available online
Rehydration powder- I usually buy this from a health food store locally. I would add it to a favoured food or Jelly/Jell O
These are just some options you could try (with clearance from medical professionals first)
Jose
saysWhy are these still in development? It's been years! My mom is now at a severe stage of dimentia and won't drink or swallow water.
Barbara Leggett.
saysI know my Husband will not drink water or very little . With that he constantly has constipation and it is not a good thing which i told the nurse today . I will have to mention these jelly sweets to them. Wether or not they will get them i don't know. I will have to try and get them myself.
Sarah
saysI've just bought some today on their site, jellydrops.com
Mary Ann Scadding
saysPlease tell me where and when I can purchase these?
Sarah Louise Wood
saysAmazing looking product and heard of these jellies from my friend..would love to order some of these for my Mum. They look so juicy and fun x
Margaret
saysAre these available for purchase, my mom is 82 with Alzheimers and we have been looking for something like this to keep her hydrated.
Courtney
saysI would love for these to become available soon! I work with disabled adults (brain injury, cerebral palsy and epilepsy. We have such a hard time getting them to stay hydrated. These would be AMAZING in my residents home.
Crescans Master
saysGod bless you for inventing such edibles for the patients. Alzheimer's patients do need more food products like this as they are in complete denial for most normal food. Please make this a available as soon as possible. I love my mom.
Kristie Turner Signorello
saysAny update on when these might be available? My mom needs them now. (Late stage Alz)
Misty Massey
saysToo bad you can’t get this. She is 94 and I think I could get her to do this. Please make sugarfree for the Diabetics later down the road.
amy dean
saysyou could buy sweet moulds and make jelly shapes yourself
Tatlyn hucey
saysHow can I make these jelly drops. I need the ingredients please.
My mom is 91 yrs old this year, and she is not
drinking a lot. Thanks
Meg
saysMy dad has a throat stoma that constantly leaks so he is chronically dehydrated. PLEASE HELP ME. HOW CAN I GET THESE?? Or get him into a trial? APRIL 2020.
Mary Singer
saysI would love my husband Norman to have some of these jellies what a brilliant idea