Not sure if this might be helpful. Got a linuxmint 19.1 computer installed with virtualbox 6.0.2. Within virtualbox, have win32bitxp running some old ten+ year software - so far it’s been stable. Maybe you can try installing your old software that way.
I have decided to just go with two systems. The new computer will be the Linux box, while my trusty Acer Veriton i5 will run my Windows apps, that are 64 bit and rather current. I’ll move files back and forth over the network and wean myself off of Windows to the degree possible tht way. The will miss WordPerfect, though.