If I have a banister, I feel, great, hold on to the banister," and an interviewer commented,

"At times, it was noted that he was unsteady on his feet and often used the furniture for

balance."

 Participants also discussed where they used assistive device. Some commented on

using a device at the store or out in the community, but not at home. For example, "Yeah,

when I go in stores I carry my cane, and if I didn't I'd probably fall" and another, "I got a

walker in there that I use whenever I go up the hospital. Here in the house I really don't, I

use a cane occasionally, but you have the wall here, everything's close, see, y'know."

 Others indicated reliance on others as an additional strategy utilized to reduce falls

and manage fear of falling. One man stated, "I was setting' there goin' to the left like that,

kept slidin' to the left, cause the left side's gone. It was in these here foldin' chairs. She

pulls hers right up side of me, leans up there before so I can lean against her, instead of

falling' out of the chair ... Yeah, she's sitting' on the left and she slid her chair right up

against mine, put her shoulder there where I can lean against her, keep me a slidin' out,

falling' out of this chair." Many discussed dependence on their caregivers or others for the

maintenance of balance and the prevention of falls. A participant referred to his caregiver

and said, "Oh, sure, grabbin' my hand, helping' me help straight up and down, keeping' me

from falling she'll walk along side of me every now and then, and, when I need her, you

can tell you know why I'm a little more off balance." Others commented, "Well my

beliefs are that I never will walk alone, I can't be alone at any time", "I'm afraid of

falling when she's not here. I may hurt myself ... Yeah, it makes a difference when she

is here, I walk around and all that." and "Well, yes, he helps me get ready to go to the