Age UK was formed in 2009 and combines the operation of previously separate charities - Age Concern and Help the Aged.

This charity is a member of the AMRC.

It aims to ensure a high quality of life for the elderly population. The website provides factsheets and extensive information on how to create an advanced directive, or ‘living will’. These factsheets include details on how to formalise an advanced decision to refuse treatment.

In a letter to SPUC dated , Tom Wright, Age UK's chief executive, said:

"Age UK has a governance framework, agreed by our Board of Trustees, to ensure both legitimacy and corporate ownership of our policy positions. The principles set out within this framework explicitly state that Age UK will not develop policy positions on certain matters, including matters which unnecessarily promote division amongst older people.

"I can confirm that as a result of this Age UK does not have a policy position on euthanasia or assisted suicide, nor do we fund or support any campaigns in relation to these issues. In relation to your query on advanced directives, as you might expect, this is a subject on which we are asked for advice by older people and we have developed a factsheet."

Link to website: http://www.ageuk.org.uk/

SPUC comment

Living wills are troubling for pro-life advocates due to their application in situations where the denial of treatment is contrary to best medical practice enacted in the best interests of the patient, and can therefore be seen as a form of "soft euthanasia".

Please send any information you may have about this charity to SPUC, either by email to rhoslynthomas@spuc.org.uk or by post to SPUC HQ.