Support Clients at Life’s Final Stage with Confidence and Compassion

A century ago, death was an integral part of everyday life, familiar to all members of the household, including children. Today, many people have little direct experience of dying and often feel unprepared when faced with it. This course provides essential knowledge about the dying process, equipping reflexologists to guide and support clients and their families through this natural stage with confidence, compassion, and professionalism.

While some individuals receive reflexology in hospice settings during their final weeks, the vast majority—those at home, in care homes, or in hospitals—rarely have access to this supportive therapy. With only around 5% of people able to access hospice care at the end of life, reflexologists have a unique opportunity to make this valuable care more widely available, helping clients experience comfort, dignity, and emotional support during their final days.

This specialised CPD course is designed to equip qualified reflexologists with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to support clients at the end of life, whether in hospice, hospital, care home, or home settings. You will gain practical, evidence-informed techniques and guidance to enhance client comfort, reduce stress and pain, and provide emotional and spiritual support. In addition, the course prepares you to recognise signs of approaching death, understand common conditions affecting palliative care clients, and confidently signpost clients and their families to appropriate resources.

Reflexology Protocols: Feet and Hands

This course includes two specialised reflexology protocols designed to support clients at different stages of the end-of-life journey, allowing you to adapt your practice as the client’s needs change.

1. Foot Reflexology Protocol – For Clients Who Are Essentially Well

• Designed for clients who are still relatively independent and mobile.

• Provides a full reflexology treatment addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

• Benefits include increased comfort, reduced stress and pain, improved relaxation, and enhanced overall balance.

• Creates a safe, calming space where clients may feel able to share thoughts and feelings, enabling reflexologists to identify additional support needs.

2. Hand Reflexology Protocol – For Frail or Bed-Bound Clients

• Suitable when foot treatments are no longer feasible due to frailty or immobility.

• Offers many of the same benefits as foot reflexology, including relaxation, stress reduction, and pain relief.

• Gentle, non-invasive stimulation supports circulation, eases tension, and promotes emotional well-being.

• Provides comfort and connection, allowing clients to experience meaningful therapy even when mobility is limited.

Why Both Protocols Matter

• Enables reflexologists to adapt treatments to the client’s condition, ensuring ongoing support throughout the end-of-life journey.

• Provides a flexible, client-centred approach, maintaining therapeutic benefits as physical capabilities change.

• Equips practitioners to deliver consistent, professional care while respecting client comfort, safety, and dignity.

What You Will Learn

By completing this course, you will be able to:

• Adapt reflexology techniques safely and effectively for clients receiving palliative care.

• Apply reflexology protocols for clients after diagnosis and as their condition progresses.

• Understand death and the dying process, including key considerations for reflexologists.

• Recognise signs of approaching death and respond appropriately.

• Support clients and families by identifying available resources and services.

• Adapt treatments for common conditions, including cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s and dementia, cancer, COPD, arthritis, and depression.

• Provide guidance on preventative lifestyle measures adapted for palliative care clients.

• Understand how the aging process affects the body and reflexology practice.