To explore perceived barriers to adhering to a healthy lifestyle among older people living in a Sri Lankan setting.

Qualitative thematic analysis of in-depth interviews among older people.

The study was conducted in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka.

In total, 28 older people aged between 60 years and 74 years were interviewed.

Six major themes were identified following the analysis. They were named as lack of knowledge, financial difficulties, poor health status, domestic constraints, cultural norms and changing the living environment. Lack of knowledge emerged through two subthemes, namely lack of information and lack of services. Domestic constraints were derived from family commitments and domestic conflicts, while cultural norms came via beliefs and customs. Poor health status emerged through three subthemes, namely disabilities, diseases and polypharmacy, while changing the living environment emerged via adaptation and urbanisation.

This study provides evidence of real-life perceptions on why older people do not adhere to a healthy lifestyle. Barriers are multifaceted and complex, yet those dimensions need to be considered heavily while developing lifestyle programmes to get maximum benefit for the older people.