‘Dr. Fix-It’ remodels for disabled local

SWAMPSCOTT-When Bob Bakst sees that someone needs help and realizes he has the means to lend a hand, he does it. So when he saw a newspaper story about a fund raiser for Raymond Julien, who needed repairs to his home to accommodate his physical handicap, he decided to step in.Bakst is the owner of Dr. Fix-It General Contractors in Swampscott. He is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist and is trained to provide supportive home improvement services that encourage independent living for the disabled or for seniors who wish to stay in their homes, to age in a place where they feel comfortable and safe.?We do a lot of this stuff,” Bakst said. “There was an article I read in one of the newspapers that said this family was in need. I felt it was something we could give back to the community. We had the wherewithal to do it, and we wanted to do what we could to help him out.Julien said renovations were underway on his home, but reached a standstill due to financial problems.?Bob heard about our need and came through for us, helped us out and helped us complete our kitchen,” he said. “It looks great and it is very functional.”Julien, a former Salem resident, has been unable to work for more than four years due to having multiple sclerosis and Parkinson?s disease. These diseases confine him to a wheelchair, making it difficult for him to move around his kitchen to perform basic daily tasks like using the sink or loading the dishwasher.?His wife works very, very hard and he is home alone, so he wants to be self sufficient,” Bakst said. “The dishwasher, disposal and the counter heights were not right for him.”Dr. Fix-It installed a new sink, disposal, dishwasher and counter tops. They are set to paint and install kitchen cabinet doors and additional counter tops this month. Baskt also enlisted the help of Steve McGuirk, a home care provider of Lynn-based North Shore Home Care Resources, which has provided the Julien family with five free visits.?There is a lot of hope for people,” Bakst said. “They don?t realize that they can be in their home and they don?t have to be institutionalized. Aging in Place is a whole new business and today people do not have to be institutionalized. There are additional home care people available. People can remain at home as long as they want and make sure they adapt their house so they are safe, comfortable and have the function.”Bakst also said that the Julien family was surprised to find that there are people out there who do the kind of work he does and they were very appreciative.?We do this every single day and this is something we were in a position to do,” he said. “We knew the fact that this really would help his mobility and he wouldn?t have to worry about his independence. We are so happy and pleased that we could be there for them. Local business are out there to help people if we can, and we feel so good about it too, because it gives us a chance to give back to the community.”