Q: imac runs slower and disk drive no longer supported

I am not tech savvy.  I am writing this for help.  My 2009 imac has been upgraded each year.  Now that I have Yosemite, things run slower. I thought keeping current was a good thing, but now I realize it might not be. Also, why has apple discontinued support of the disk drive for iphoto, idvd, and iweb. I loved using those items and creating things. Now my only option for saving photos is to put them on a flash drive.  I was told there are apps, but I don't know which ones. I never knew that things would be discontinued and not usable.  There should be a warning  to dummies like me who don't know that apple gives then takes away.  I thought each upgrade made things easier, safer, and better.  Guess that is not the case.    If anyone can tell me what to do so that my disk drive will work with iphoto, let me know.  Also, any easy to follow steps are greatly appreciated as I am a "simple" user.  Thank you.