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.
James Martello Jr
saysWe have an Order of Catholic Nuns here in New Orleans who care for the dying in their homes. Getting them to take enough fluids is often a struggle. I wonder if your product would aid them as well? I know they give some of their patients candy to suck on to help them.
Serena
saysThese sound like a fantastic idea, I’ve heard about these for quite a while and looking forward to when I can buy some
Kerry Mole
saysWow what a great innovative idea! Can dementia patients who have diabetes take these Jelly water drops too? I would certainly be interested in doing a free trial of this product for my mother in law.
Tracy McCormack
saysI too have difficulty getting my Mum to drink she is still able to chew little pieces of soft food i now g iv e her water Mellon but would like to try jelly drops when the are available
Sarah Jane Brown
saysI am a community carer and I hope to see thses come out very soon. Hope to hear from you soon.
Ashleigh Mac
saysReally excited for when these are on sale! My granddad would benefit from these massively as well as all the lovely elderly people I work with! Sometimes it’s a struggle to get people to keep their fluids up and sadly I can’t always be there to pester them due to being busy with other patients / jobs! Amazing idea!!!!!
Nikki
saysIs it safe for diabetics to eat helly drops???
Paul UPTON
saysI would to have some. My wife would certainly benefit. Paul
Suzie usher
saysGreat idea,I am a carer for a living, the elderly in general struggle to keep hydrated, the size is an issue, and being diabetic also, but what a brilliant young man .....
Sharon Till and Josh Quash
saysI think the Jelly drops are a fantastic idea, but please consider their sugar content. Elderly patients are at a higher risk of dental caries, especially in care facilities. Frequent sugary snacks may increase the amount of caries in these already frail patients.
M
saysWhat a super idea - and not just for people with dementia. We were always trying to get my elderly mother to drink enough.
Sue
saysThis sounds like a fantastic aid for people at risk of dehydration. My husband was hospitalised last year with it. Although probably not something that should be considered a replacement for liquids it is certainly an innovative bonus. It will also be useful for people like my husband who suffers from drooling and was advised to suck sweets to help to control it. These sound like a more healthy way to achieve this.
Jill Allbutt
saysAs an oral health Improvement Specialist I too am concerned about the sugar content of this product. Whilst I completely understand the issue of low fluid I risks and the issues surrounding this. Patients with dementia often have very dry mouths resulting in more risk of tooth decay and gum disease along with other oral conditions. Some dementia medications also cause dry mouth so I am pleased that you are aware of these risks and considering them as part of the development of this product. I understand the huge risk for patients when fluid intake is reduced and the impact this can have.
Also oral care can be neglected in care homes due to lack of training or support for staff and absence of oral assessments or documentation of oral care. With the release of “Smiling Matters” we hope this will start to change.
Let’s use this as an opportunity to raise the profile of the importance of good oral health for everyone.
Penelope Morris
saysWhat a brilliant idea. This would be very helpful in Australia where we have extreme heat!
Joanna Bassett
saysGreat idea and a wonderful source of liquid intake but .... my 95year old mother with advanced Alzheimer’s can no longer use her dentures so the jelly drop needs to melt in the mouth to avoid choking.