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In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli sits down with Cindy Spence, massage therapist at the T. Boone Pickens Hospice Center and author of Palliative Touch: Massage for People at the End of Life. Together, they discuss how simple, intentional touch can become one of the most powerful tools for comfort and connection in hospice care.

Cindy shares her journey from family caregiver to palliative massage expert, explains the myths and misconceptions surrounding end-of-life massage, and offers deeply practical tips for bed positioning, reading nonverbal cues, and inviting caregivers to confidently engage in comfort touch. This episode is a compassionate guide for anyone supporting a loved one at the end of life, and a beautiful reminder that care doesn't always require words.

Key takeaways include:

How to use palliative touch without formal training
Why proper bed positioning is one of the most overlooked aspects of hospice comfort
Tips for reading signs of pain and discomfort when someone can’t speak
The emotional weight of caregiving and tools for caregiver self-care

This episode is for caregivers, hospice workers, doulas, and anyone who wants to offer dignity, ease, and presence during the final chapter of life.

Links/Resources

Guest: Cindy Spence – https://finaltouchtraining.com
Host: Traci Arieli's Website – https://www.comfortingclosure.com
Palliative Touch: Massage for People at the End of Life by Cindy Spence

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Touching the End: Comfort and Care Through Palliative Massage