Research

Jelly Drops: award-winning sweets that boost hydration

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.

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.

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."