The real cost of falls in Scotland

What every housing, health and care leader should know

Falls in later life are common, but they’re anything but harmless. For Scotland’s health and care system, they’re one of the most urgent - and costly - challenges we face.

Let’s break it down.

A public health crisis hiding in plain sight

In 2023/24 there were:

• 24,541 emergency hospital admissions for falls in over-65s
  
  
• 531,487 total bed days used for recovery
  
  
• 1,033 deaths among people aged 75+ - the highest ever recorded

That’s up nearly 18% since 2019. The risk rises with age, but the impact lands on the whole system.

The financial fallout

Falls now cost Scotland’s health and care system £767 million a year - a 62% jump in a decade. Social care alone bears around £460 million of that.

Every fall avoided isn’t just a life saved, iIt’s a budget rebalanced.

Deprivation drives risk

People in Scotland’s most deprived areas are 65% more likely to experience a fall than those in the least deprived. Older people in poor-quality housing are particularly vulnerable - especially where damp, cold, or poor layout creates unsafe environments.

Homes aren’t fit for ageing

• 70% of Scottish homes were built before 1982 - most don’t meet modern accessibility standards
  
  
• Only 6% of new builds in 2022/23 were wheelchair accessible
  
  
• 31,000+ wheelchair users are living in homes that aren’t suitable

Without better housing, we’ll see more falls, more hospital stays, and more lives changed forever.

But falls are preventable

That’s the good news. Falls aren’t inevitable, in fact they’re often predictable. And with the right support, they can be avoidable.

Early warning signs include:

• Reduced activity
  
  
• Inconsistent heating or damp conditions
  
  
• Missed routines (e.g. not using the kitchen or bathroom)

These signs can now be picked up passively by IoT sensors, without intruding on privacy. That’s how Archangel’s platform supports housing and care providers - flagging issues early and triggering action before a fall happens.

Prevention is better policy

Scotland’s over-65 population is set to grow by 20% before the next census. Without change, demand will overwhelm supply.

Investing in fall prevention through data, safer homes, and joined-up systems doesn’t just make sense, it’s essential.

How to get started with sensor-based monitoring

Thinking about using sensors to reduce fall risk in your properties? Here’s a simple step-by-step checklist to help you get going:

1. Identify your priority properties
   Start with where the risk is highest - older residents, history of falls, or properties with known issues like damp, cold, or poor accessibility.
   
   
2. Engage your teams early
   Bring in housing officers, care coordinators, compliance leads and digital teams. They’ll help shape rollout plans and spot integration opportunities.
   
   
3. Choose a partner, not just a product
   Look for a platform that works with multiple sensor types, integrates with your existing systems, and offers access to partners who can support you with installation, training, and support.
   
   
4. Focus on passive monitoring first
   Start with non-intrusive sensors that track temperature, humidity, movement, and activities of daily living. Residents shouldn’t need to wear or charge anything.
   
   
5. Define what ‘good’ looks like
   Set clear goals—like reducing falls, speeding up interventions, cutting call-outs, or easing compliance. Track what matters.
   
   
6. Pilot, learn, then scale
   Don’t overcomplicate it. Start small, gather real-world results, and use the insight to drive wider adoption.
   
   
7. Use the data to tell your story
   Show how insights lead to action. Use dashboards and case studies to demonstrate value to internal stakeholders, families, and funders.
   
   

Want to know more?

We’re already working with housing and care partners to reduce risk, cut costs, and protect lives. If you’re looking to build prevention into your future plans - we’d love to help.

Get in touch.