Before Mickey Rooney passed away in 2014, he did something brave. The movie star that played over 200 roles stood before Congress and gave a heartbreaking testimony.
Rooney confessed to being a victim of elder abuse in 2011. He believed that if a celebrity like him could be physically and verbally abused, then it can happen to anyone. The actor revealed his stepson held him hostage in his own home.
Whenever he tried to speak out he was silenced by his abuser.
“When a man feels helpless, it is terrible. And I was helpless,” Rooney said. “For years I suffered silently, unable to muster the courage to seek the help I knew I needed.”
Rooney’s stepson took control of all of his money, took his identification so he couldn’t travel, was verbally abusive, and deprived him of medicine and food. He even took his Oscar and his Emmy. Rooney felt like a prisoner in his own home until he filed a restraining order against the monster.
Finally, Rooney courageously shared his story to beg Congress to take a stance against elder abuse. Each year over 2 million elderly people will become victims of abuse.
According to the Administration on Aging, these are the signs of elder abuse:
Bruises, bedsores, broken bones, or burns
Depression or unexplained changes in behavior such as withdrawing from activities
Sudden changes in finances
Poor hygiene, sudden weight loss
Strained or tense relationships between the elderly and a family member or the caretaker
To learn more about elder abuse please visit AOA.gov or call 1-800-677-1116.