Dementia Support Line
Research
Jelly Drops: award-winning sweets that boost hydration
Alzheimer’s Society has supported the development of Jelly Drops, delicious bite-sized sweets, designed to boost health and hydration. Jelly Drops have helped over 80,000 people living with dementia.
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.
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. 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.
Jelly Drops are solid but with a smooth texture - they don’t have a liquid centre or pop when eaten.
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.
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."
The Jelly Drops team.
Order Jelly Drops today
You can buy Jelly Drops on the Alzheimer's Society shop through the link below. Or, get a free trial when you start a discounted subscription through the Jelly Drops website.
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