SAN DIEGO -- Actor Mickey Rooney appeared at a fundraiser at the San Diego Air and Space Museum in Balboa Park on Saturday and spoke to 10News about the issue of elder abuse.

Rooney, who has graced the silver screen since the 1930s, was in his element at the museum. With guests, he gladly posed for pictures. During the fundraiser, Rooney was honored with a new Ford Taurus by San Diego County's Ford dealers for his service entertaining the troops during World War II.

But earlier in the day, in a room away from the public, Rooney brought up a cause that has become very important to him.

"Elderly abuse has to be stopped, and it’s going to be a law and a crime," he said.

Earlier this year, Rooney filed a restraining order against his stepson after Rooney said he was denied food and medicine and made to feel like a prisoner in his own home.

In March, he testified in front of a Senate committee in Washington about abuse of the elderly. Rooney said he's proud to have made a contribution to a bill to stop elder abuse.

"The president will make it a crime to abuse the elderly," he said.

The elder abuse bill is still pending.

Rooney urged older people who are being abused to tell someone they trust, but some of those who are abused never receive that opportunity.

"In some of the retirement homes and the nursing homes, they are not being looked after properly," he said.

Rooney's cause brings back memories of recent elder abuse cases in San Diego, such as the case of 93-year-old Arnold Bauer. Bauer's caregiver was charged with stealing money from him and leaving him to live in filth. That case is now working its way through the courts.