In this week’s Aging Parent Playbook, I introduce Pillar 3: Health Optimization, how to clearly understand what your parent actually needs so you can stop guessing and start planning. We move beyond diagnoses and look at the full picture: physical health, mobility, cognition, emotional well-being, and daily function. I share simple questions and observations you can use right away to assess safety, prepare for medical visits, and make thoughtful decisions about care options without jumping to worst-case scenarios. This is about clarity, not crisis—and creating a plan that truly fits your parent’s needs.