laser:
Wow.....at some point they have no choice but to stay, as others have pointed out; they can no longer walk, and their finances are "controlled". But, it seems dependence is what they crave, and are willing to risk the possibility of suffering abuse, at the hands of a "care giver". 'Tis f#ck8ng extreme, death the goal, like a fantasy suicide. Cheers.
Death isn't really the GOAL (not that I can speak for everyone.) It's knowing that death is looming, that every pound bring it even closer, but they/you can't or won't stop. It's having health issues that are a clear sign that you're on thin ice...but the food keeps getting forced down, the weight keeps piling on. When the ice breaks it's just over...but seeing how far out you can go is as exciting as it is scary. Some people turn back just in time, but with a frostbite reminder, some stick it out part way and suffer the cold. Either way they'll never be 100%. There will always be a chilling reminder of how close they got, and a temptation to step back out onto the ice.