by Metropol | December 17, 2025 8:33 am
F rom making the decision to downsize and sell the family home to suddenly finding yourself single after decades with the same person, older age introduces several major life events. To navigate these changes, it can pay to have an impartial helping hand, which is where Robyn Johnston comes in, founder of Transition Navigators.
“I help older people make smooth transitions through the big changes at this time of life,” Robyn says.
A trained teacher and counsellor, Robyn has spent years researching the lived experiences of older adults. The fastest-growing sector of the New Zealand population, Kiwis aged over 65, is increasing by more than 500 people per week. By 2029, we’ll have one million people aged 65+, and by 2060, this age group will be one-quarter of the population.
“I started Transition Navigators because I’m passionate about supporting older people to make the best decisions about their major life events. We work in three key transition areas for older people, which are: transitioning from work to retirement; deciding where to live when downsizing from the family home, and how to come to terms with and enjoy being single, whether that’s due to spousal dementia, death, divorce, or something else.”
As well as working one-on-one with private clients, Robyn also teaches workshops for older adults on ‘How to be single’ and ‘Transitioning from work to retirement’ through Risingholme Learning centre in Opawa.
“Many older people suddenly find themselves single – or effectively single if their partner is in a care home – in their 70s, 80s or older. A lot of these people have never lived on their own. They lived with parents until they got married, had children, and then it was the two of them, and now all of a sudden, for the first time in maybe 60-plus years,
they live alone.”
It can be a time for deep self-reflection and newfound independence. “They now get to ask themselves, ‘who am I?’ Because they’ve always been an extension of other people. ‘What television programmes and foods do I actually like? What time do I want to go to bed and wake up?’ They seem simple things, but they are big issues for people.”
BOOMER BUZZ
Robyn’s service supports older adults and their families through every stage of a major lifestyle transition. That might involve downsizing from a long-time family home, arranging support so someone can continue living safely where they are, or exploring new accommodation such as retirement villages or residential care. Robyn begins by listening – understanding the person’s needs, preferences and values. She then researches suitable options and provides a clear, written comparison of the best-fit choices, complete with pros and cons, so the individual retains full control and is confident in their decisions.
If needed, Transition Navigators can also support the practical steps: assessing eligibility for subsidies, coordinating the sale of a home, helping decide what belongings to keep or move, and assisting with the logistics of the transition itself. Throughout, Robyn’s guiding principles are dignity, respect and compassion. As Christchurch’s ageing population rises, more families will soon be navigating these complex transitions.
“Older people will accept recommendations from me that they don’t want to hear from their children,” Robyn says. “That’s why having an impartial, knowledgeable guide can make all the difference.”
Source URL: https://metropol.co.nz/golden-agers-transition-navigators/
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