Torn ACL...HELP!!!

Just before Christmas my doggy Marshall badly tore his ACL. My vet suggested surgery but Marsh is 14 1/2 and feeling very uncomfortable putting him under at his age and very costly.. I have been getting him to rest on the bed with me we are doing netflicks marathons so he has time to rest his leg. I lift him up and down off everything. Has anyone out there had a similar experience and opted not to do surgery and found ways to help your buddy to cope. Pls share as me and Marshal need all the help we can get.