“An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.” —William E. Vaughan, journalist and author As 2024 rolls to an end, many of us traditionally pause to reflect on the highs and lows of the year. And what a year it has been. For starters, Doug’s 93-year-old mother had a stroke and was hospitalized in February, which led to more caregiving changes and challenges for her and our family. My mother-in-law is the last surviving parent we have. As our elders decline, we’re reminded to make the most of our own senior years while we find the resources and…