Strong, healthy bones allow us to remain active and to do all of the things we dream about in our 60s and beyond. As we age, our desire to experience the world doesn’t decrease. We want to travel, spend time in the garden, socialize and have fun with our hobbies. Most of all, we want to stay independent.

Unfortunately, it sometimes feels like our bodies are working against us. This is especially true for women over 60 who are struggling with osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis in Women is a Serious Problem

In a recent report, the International Osteoporosis Foundation reported that more than 22-million in the European Union between the ages of 50-84 have osteoporosis. Not only are these women at an increased risk for broken bones, but, they may also experience hip, spine and other fractures.

The numbers are staggering. In 2010 alone, 3.5-million new bone fractures were reported. There is a strong connection between menopause and osteoporosis, so, perhaps it’s no surprise that two thirds of these fractures occurred in women. Osteoporosis in women is a definitely a trend that needs to be taken seriously.

Depending on your age and the country that you live in, you may be eligible for osteoporosis therapy. The most important thing for every woman in the Sixty and Me community to do is take control of and responsibility for their health of their bones.

If you haven’t already, speak with your doctor to see what preventative measures you can take based on your own situation. The experts seem to agree that weight-bearing exercise, Vitamins D and K, calcium and a protein rich diet are important for bone health. Making sure that your diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables including spinach, broccoli, bananas, oranges and other citrus fruits may also help. Of course, everyone’s situation is different, so check with your doctor to see what steps are right for you.

After breaking my ankle twice in the space of a few years, I decided to take my bone health seriously. It’s a shame that our amazing bodies have the habit of weakening as we get older. Hopefully technology will improve at some point and we will be able to return our bodies to a more youthful state. In the meantime, the best thing that we can do is get plenty of exercise, watch our diet, and take our medical care seriously.

Have you been affected by osteoporosis? What do you do to keep your bones healthy? Please add your thoughts in the comments section below.

Watch this video for even more healthy living tips for older women.