Maybe he should get a job in NZ. There are some reasonable gigs going there.
I also just renewed a NZ Class One medical. All done in half a day; no stress ecg required, no separate eye test or separate audiogram, as the doctor had all the kit needed. Hence not cheap, but fair, given the convenience.The only separate exercise was the blood test and they sent the results within 24 hours.
An Old Person Class One in NZ is valid for 12 months. For we geriatrics the only restriction is that if you need to fly single pilot IFR you do have to renew at six month intervals. The medical examiner issues the certificate. CAA gets copied in, of course, and could intervene, but they seem to trust their designated examiners.
Compare that approach with CASA ‘s micro management which had me pay $1080 to complete all their requirements two years ago. Plus the cost and time running all over town trying to co ordinate the various extra tests. Face it, if you are over 65 CASA want you safely on the ground where you pose no further threat.