Actor Mickey Rooney said Congress should pass legislation to end elder abuse in a hearing before the Senate Special Committee on Aging yesterday.
“My money was stolen from me, by someone close,” said Rooney, 90, an entertainment legend whose credits include the “Andy Hardy” film series and movies such as “Night at the Museum.” “I was eventually and completely stripped of the ability to make even the most basic decisions in my own life.”
Rooney told other seniors who may be victims not to stay silent as he did for years. “You are not alone and you have nothing to be ashamed of,” he said.
Senator Herb Kohl, (D-Wis.) chairman of the aging committee, said he was reintroducing the “Elder Abuse Victims Act” yesterday.
The bill would establish an Office of Elder Justice within the Department of Justice and strengthen enforcement in cases of abuse.