mm i dont think a dog is too old to be house trained;
i think if you want to crate train him you should be willing to commit to that choice and not stop half way and try something else!
there are lot of helpful advice on the training section in the forum. id say take off at least 2 weeks to be with your baby so you can keep hawk eyes on him =]
but personally i didnt do the crate method with wookie, but i did with my last two dogs who were much bigger. i use a dog litter pan with pee pee papers inside. and he can tell the difference between pee pee pads and everything else is the house. its really cute to see him stop in the middle of playing and trot to his dog litter pan and go. and when he comes out he rushes to me and goes on his back waiting for me to tickle him and say what a good boy he is.... =]
i was with him for about a month (watching him 24/7) and i can say hes trained and happy and im happy too.
but whatever works for you, this forum will give you all the help and support you need. dont give up!