"I find that I can't raise that poptop
> gracefully, only with a major--I mean *major*--"
"What suggestions do other no-longer-young-and-agile owners have for me?"

I'm single and do most of my camping alone so this may become an issue for
me, too.

I'm not quite there yet, but have thought of this because of some injuries
I've collected along the way.
My plan is to use either a steel pole or 2X4 with a "U" or notch in the
upper end for the pop-up-bar to rest in, long enough to put the other end on
the floor, and be able to just push on the pole toward to front of the van
while the top pops up. I suspect I'd have to push the bar initially to get
it started before applying the pole.

I don't know how to do the math on this but know from logic that the reduced
effort of this due to both leverage and lateral vs up forces, will diminish
the needed effort considerably. I've considered or imagined that being able
to use the rear bench seat, whether in bed mode or seat mode, as a push off
to be able to use my weight against the pole forward.

Since I have an awning it would be quite easy to stow the pole along that
near the rain gutter outside.

bob