TR A N S ITIO N N AVI GATOR S

Robyn Johnston Interview

B.Ed, PGDip Couns, MHealSc (Hons) Founder, Lead Consultant

Transition Navigators is an organisation that designs individual retirement solutions for New Zealanders. Functioning as independent listeners, mediators and planners, their purpose is to alleviate stress and provide options for their clients.

Lead consultant Robyn Johnston says Transition Navigators was in the works since 2012, although it only got off its feet in the past few years. After her own experiences navigating the retirement sector for her mother-in-law, she saw the gap in the market for wellresearched unbiased consultants. She claims people lose hours of time and money searching for information and visiting homes. In their firm, consultants do all that hard work for their clients.

First, they meet with clients in their home so they can ask them questions in a safe neutral space. They establish what the situation is, what is already in place and what is the client’s desire moving forward. Previously trained as a counselor, Robyn uses her experience to pick up on not only what is said - but also what isn’t. From there, her team design multiple options.

While some of the solutions include retirement accommodation in villages or care facilities, a substantial amount involves renovating the resident’s current home, helping them downsize or seeing how families can support the individual where they already are.

For Transition Navigators, the focus is on the specific preferences of the client, not the pressure around them.

She believes their work helps retirement village operators, her clients and other industries connected to the sector. For operators, they can be assured this resident is sure of their decision – likely to participate, enjoy and thrive in their environment. Because of their research, they know the terms, expectations and privileges of their certain environment.

“ It’s about the needs of the older person. If a family member was to pay, that doesn’t mean they get the say.”

For her clients, they get to voice their individual preferences resulting in well-crafted solutions. Knowing someone else is carrying the pressure of organizing, negotiating and researching helps to reduce the overwhelming stress that can come with retirement. Furthermore, families feel assured their loved one is going to be happy and safe.

Transition Navigators provide a fully independent service. Robyn says they can offer advice or accompany them to visit some of the suggested options, as well as liaise with other businesses.

Plans to expand are underway for Transition Navigators, with Robyn already having formed consultant relationships across the country. Their focus continues to be providing a variety of solutions for customers, and making sure they stay on top of changes in the sector.