Water Heaters - Two problems: hot water takes a long time and trickles

This problem has been getting worse over the past year and I really need to fix it or have it fixed. I believe that there is more than one thing going on here. First, to get hot water in the kitchen, I have to run it for about 15 minutes. Second, just turning it on only gets a trickle (cold or hot). It is the same thing for the washing machine in the basement. The bathrooms are not as bad as the kitchen. The water is not a trickle - altho the pressure used to be better - and the hot comes on faster. I have a handy man who can probably do what you suggest. My last resort is a plumber and my funds are very limited at this time. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. (PS the hot water heater is probably around 14 years old; nobody is sure)

When was the last time the water heater was flushed?

if the water heater is 15 years old, it is about time for a new one, especially if it is gas.

the water pressure, or lack of, is probably caused by restriction in the incoming water line. most have galv. line coming in, and over time rust accumulates. mine has, but not so bad as for me to dig up the yard yet. check the first faucet(inside or out) on the incoming line and see what the pressure is like. if it is good there, you may have a restriction further downstream. if not, likely the supply line is rusty. your faucets also, if they have strainers, could be partially plugged.

ok plumbers. jump in!

We didn't flush the whole thing a couple of months ago. Just took out a couple of pails of water, which were clear. I will get someone to check on the input stuff (if you haven't already guessed, I'm not very good at this stuff). Thanks