Local authorities in Scotland are facing a perfect storm: an ageing population, rising demand for social care, and increasing pressure to reduce costs while maintaining high service quality.
In 2023-24, local authorities spent an estimated £174 million on Free Personal and Nursing Care (FPNC) payments for self-funding residents aged 65 and over, a 10% increase on the previous financial year.
Although these residents pay for their accommodation, local authorities still cover part of their care costs, and this steady rise highlights growing financial strain. In total, the 2025-26 budget allocated £21.7 billion for health and social care services across Scotland, underlying the scale of the challenge.
The Rise of Technology-Enabled Care
Non-medical Technology Enabled Care (TEC), including Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices such as remote health monitoring, fall detection, and predictive alert systems, offer local authorities a new, powerful way to support citizens to live safely and independently in their own homes.
The Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework recognised digital technology, such as TEC, as a cornerstone of modernising care in Scotland, calling for an increasing proportion of care interactions to be delivered through digital channels where appropriate.
IoT devices are a major part of this approach, providing a practical means of extending care into the home while reducing demand for residential placements and relieving pressure on council budgets.
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) Spring Survey 2025 found that 89% of directors ranked additional funding and resources for preventative technologies as the most beneficial area for future investment: a clear signal of how vital IoT will become in reshaping social care for Scotland.
How IoT Is Transforming Homecare Delivery
In a home care setting, IoT systems can monitor an individual’s well-being around the clock. Pre-set parameters can automatically trigger alerts, for example, if no movement is detected in a room for a defined period, then an automated call could be made to an alarm receiving centre, a local contact, or a mobile responder.
Each individual may have multiple IoT devices feeding constant, passive data about their activity and environment.
This creates a new challenge: managing the vast amount of data generated. Data orchestration is important for coordinating these devices, and producing a coherent stream of data—otherwise, it’s like showering under Niagara Falls.
To make sense of all that data, councils need a Customer Data Platform (CDP) capable of analysing and correlating these data streams against known individuals and properties. A CDP provides a single, holistic view of each citizen and their environment, enabling large-scale monitoring without requiring a massive workforce.
From Reactive Care to Preventive Care
Traditional telecare systems, often reliant on manual alerts, are becoming outdated. They don’t capture real-time wellness data or integrate with broader care systems. IoT-enabled monitoring, by contrast, provides early warnings and allows carers to intervene before problems escalate, turning reactive care into proactive prevention.
By enabling older adults to remain safely and independently at home for longer, councils can reduce reliance on residential care, lower funding obligations, and improve quality of life for residents.
For residents, this means greater independence and the comfort of remaining in their own homes. For local authorities, it means fewer costly care admissions, reduced strain on budgets, and more efficient use of resources.