While many seniors look forward to retirement and the freedom it brings to pursue passions and find new purpose, a significant number of older people fear it, seeing it as a life stage where there’s more to be lost than gained. If you’re in the process of navigating your parents towards retirement, the Bridges Transition Model offers critical insights and applications to help you on your journey.

What is the Bridges Transition Model?
While it may have been developed by William Bridges with the intention of helping businesses and individuals manage organisational change, this model’s core focus on the transition to change is exceptionally valuable for anyone facing a huge shift in their lives.

Before we go any further, it’s important that we understand the difference between transition and change. According to wmbridges.com, “Change is situational; it is the external event that is taking place.” Transition on the other hand, “is the inner psychological process that people go through as they internalize and come to terms with the new situation that the change brings about.” In other words, change is what happens in the real world, while transition is what happens in the mind. And, when a planned life change is unsuccessful, it’s often because the person making the change has been unable to make the transition mentally.

To help make the process a success, keep the lines of communication with your parents open at all times – your interest, understanding and advice will help minimise their fear of the future as you coach them through the three phases of transition.

Phase one: Endings
This phase is all about taking stock of what is being left behind and managing the associated loss. 

How can you help? Make time to help your parents identify what they are leaving behind as they move into retirement and find ways to help them manage the loss. Just as importantly, help them to define what they will carry forward into this new chapter of their lives – finances, accommodation, lifestyle, relationships, interests and priorities. 

Phase two: Neutral Zone
This is the in-between phase, a time of uncertainty and opportunity as the previous chapter comes to a close, but the next one is yet to begin.

How can you help? While letting go is difficult, this is the perfect time to help your parents consider options that were not previously possible and to imagine and prepare for the next chapter of their lives.

Phase three: New Beginnings
As the name suggests, this final phase is all about embracing a fresh attitude and establishing a new life. 

How can you help? Come alongside your parents as they set new goals, dream new dreams and live with new purpose, while continuing to add value to their family and community. In this way, they will be able to embrace the future with sense of excitement and feeling positive about who they are and where they are going.