A very different situation FarNorth. Many elderly make the conscious decision to not eat, as they have had enough. A good life, but no longer worth living. My wonderful mum did- she was totally dependent, had lost the use of her legs and was blind. She just hated it, and wanted out. Not eating was the simplest way, as she had lost all appetite and sense of taste and smell. She was however totally compos mentis. Very different with someone with dementia or Alzheimers however.
Totally agree Hetty 58- it is cruel and totally un-necessary- to force feed people who have no quality of life, clearly have had enough and just want to 'go'. This is NOT akin to depression- just coming to the decision that the time has come, for very good reasons, and that life for the sake of, is just not life.