Volunteer Work

  • Santa’s Here – and He’s Wearing a Tool Belt!
    Dr. Fix-It, North Shore Home Care Resources and Right at Home help local family by donating home improvements and home care services.The Julien family of Danvers, MA, hit hard by serious illness and the recession, is having an easier time this holiday season, thanks to help from two North Shore businesses. Former Salem resident Raymond Julien has multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, and has been unable to work for nearly four years. Because Ray must use a wheelchair, he needed a more handicap accessible and barrier-free kitchen that would allow him to safely and comfortably perform tasks like using the sink or loading the dishwasher.Bob Bakst, owner of Dr. Fix-It General Contractors in Swampscott, MA, and a Certified Aging in Place Specialist, donated his time and materials to make it easier for Ray to get around the house and remain at home. Dr. Fix-It installed a new sink, disposal, dishwasher, and countertops, and provided other amenities within Ray’s easy reach, applying universal design standards that make everyday activities accessible to all, no matter what their abilities. Bakst also arranged for a little extra help for Ray’s family, getting home care providers Steve McGuirk of Lynn-based North Shore Home Care Resources and Rosaleen Doherty of Salem, MA-based Right at Home to each provide five free visits. This month, Bakst is painting and installing kitchen cabinet doors and providing additional new countertops.Bakst originally heard about the Juliens’ situation through a newspaper notice about a fundraiser held at the Clifton Lutheran Church in Marblehead in February 2009. He attended the fundraiser, then visited the family at home to assess what he could do to help make the kitchen more functional for Ray. Bakst, McGuirk and Doherty, with support from another benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous, exemplify the spirit of local businesses contributing to their communities.Designated as a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) by the National Association of Home Builders, Bob Bakst is trained to provide supportive home improvement services that promote independent living for seniors who want to stay in their homes and age positively with comfort, safety and dignity. As a fully insured, Massachusetts-licensed, full-service home improvement contractor and construction supervisor who has served North Shore and Greater Boston clients for 15 years, Bakst provides quality-of-life home improvement and modification solutions that incorporate fall prevention and a “no barriers, no boundaries” approach. Bakst’s solutions accommodate all types of mobility and sensory impairments to allow people to remain at home with help from community based care, avoiding the expense of assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Dr. Fix-It offers a home safety functioning audit and survey, and provides home modifications and accessories for clients experiencing a progressive or abrupt and traumatic health-related condition.

 

Certified Aging-In-Place Specialists

Contact Us

Dr. Fix It Accessibility Contractor
49 Salem Street
Swampscott, MA 01907
Phone: (781) 598-5437

Testimonial

"Thank you so much for the great work you did altering critical spaces in my client's apartment. The combination of the time you devoted to effectively listening to exactly what she wanted, along with your professional input into what she really needed, made for a great outcome. Your attention to detail and your creative and cost effective solutions have greatly improved her quality of life."

Dianne Savastano President, Healthassist

What to expect when you contact us?

We can provide all phases of service from home evaluations, to architectural plans, to construction (www.drfix-it.net ). Our goal is to help in any way giving you the freedom and mobility your space deserves. We are extremely client focused focusing on Universal Design principles and also your particular needs. When you call us:
1. One of our team members will set up an initial site visit to the property to discuss your particular situation and consider preliminary ideas for accessibility needs
2. After a budget has been discussed we can evaluate which equipment will be most suitable and the design that will be the most fitting for your situation
3. Drawings
4. Approved plans
5. Begin work
***Please keep in mind we can provide start to finish services or only specific phases of service

Testimonials

“I hired Bob to make make modifications to my elderly father's condo that would make it safer for him to remain there. Bob did an extremely comprehensive evaluation of the space and of my father's needs, and expedited the process in time for his return from a rehabilitation facility. Thank you Bob!”
~ Dyan deNapoli, The Penguin Lady


“Bob puts his heart and mind into each project he takes on. He has taken the time to understand me as a client and work with me closely to develop what I needed. In the different jobs he's done over the years for me, I've been in different life phases. Bob worked flexibly with me. Each of the projects have come out very well - very good quality and very good value. He can work to accommodate the budget. And our projects together, he's managed to them at or under budget and very close to the timetable. He's taken some of the mystery and guesswork out building and made the projects a pleasure - especially for the long-term.”
~ Michael Hoffman

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