Take up drums at age 56?

Oh you bet...after many years playing the steering wheel and dash, I decided to get real...about 20 years ago my Favorite drummer was Will Kennedy (Yellowjackets)...mesmerizing beats and cool rhythms...so they come to Santa Cruz and I sit up at ringside to watch and listen specially to Will...after the show I went up to him, all thanks etc and ask him ‘is it ever too late to Start playing drums and how should I start?’...his response was so simple...’Buddy, go buy a set...don’t overthink it...just do it’...so later that week I went into a local shop and put together a very nice Sonar Jazz Kit...w/better than beginner hardware and cymbals ...metalflake Green, came home, set it up and started playing with ‘Kinda Blue’...keeping good time, brushes etc....that was before much instructional you tube etc...so I muddled along and found that it just took me away...still does...I could use a dedicated music space, though as I play guitar as well and sing in a band...room and space are my final frontier...don’t read a lick, don’t want to...just want to play...I say just do it...get you pal to dial you in...don’t  fear it...dig it...Life is short and I didn’t want to always wonder what it would be like...I know now...and love it...I’m 64 btw...next...about surfing....hmmmm???....good luck!

I, too, am a drummer, and the most fun I've had with the instrument in recent years (I'm 66, and a veteran of the gigging community) is using a decent electronic kit to play along with the thousand of available drumless songs that are available.  At 56, you probably don't want to start lugging drums to gigs, and probably aren't that worried about impressing your friends and getting chicks (I'm assuming), so sticking your head under some headphones and wailing with some songs you may or may not know is just great fun.  It also has the great advantage of having a volume control, so your not damaging the ears you need to enjoy your audio system.

@n80 

Surprisingly few drummers are good dancers - so don’t worry about your tendency towards tripping.

I only know of Steve Ferrone, Buddy Rich and Steve Gadd who were all accomplished tap dancers. Dancing a bit (body movement) does help with making and keeping a locked in groove. Many will dance with the left foot and head.


https://youtu.be/6DVbt5W-DNc

I started playing drums at age 5 and I’m in my 60’s now. Just got rid of my set.  It’s a lot of fun to play. The most fun is playing in groups/bands in front of many people, an experience you will never forget. Do not, do not get an electronic kit. The drum sizes are completely different than the real thing and the feel is quite a bit different.
St first, all you need is a snare drum to learn the basics. At 5, I did this with an instructor for quite some time before it got boring. Then I progressed to a full kit. Pick a couple of drummers from your favorite artists and play along with a couple of cuts to work on your stick ability as well as the bass drum work. I used a set of headphones for drummers that worked really well while I played songs from my iPhone. There are many YouTube videos that can teach you the basics up to the most advanced.
if you want to save money, find a used set thru Craigslist along with a set of cymbals, hi hat, ride and crash. IMO, if you want to learn from the best, look up Mike Portnoy and watch some of his drumming with Dream Theater. That’s who I played too and he has great videos on how to learn different techniques. Btw, I am selling my headphones if interested.

You should absolutely do it!! Age should have no impact on your decision at all.
I play the drums, and I'm 65. I do it almost everyday, and it always gives me great joy, though there are indeed times of frustration when I'm trying to play something and can't quite get it. 

As for the question about skip the practice pad, go straight to the kit, why does it have to be either/or? My opinion is using both would help you get better sooner, and by getting better I mean enable you to play things you hear and function around the drum kit, and that would lead to more pleasure for you.

Playing along with records, cd's whatever is a good way to grow your playing, (and a lot of fun) but you do need to realize that you're not gonna just sit down at the kit and magically play anything you hear. You're gonna have to put in some time on developing your ability (building your "chops") so you are physically able to play the things you want. Doesn't mean you can't also slam away, it does feel awfully good. 

Go for it, there's a very good chance you'll see the opportunity to fall in love with drums, (as I did) and if you get that feeling, finding a teacher and taking lessons would be something you might want to do. It wouldn't be an onerous task, it would be a joyous pursuit.

Btw, you can teach yourself, and these days there are lots of ways to get the info you need online. I was self-taught before the computer age. I spent 5 or 6 years working at it and actually ended up playing in bands that were fairly successful, and had a great time doing it. I got to the point where I couldn't grow enough on my own, so then I found a teacher (several actually) and got very serious about it. I'm not trying to make this about me, just trying to show you there are a number of ways to do it. 

Good luck, I hope you take the plunge