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TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Bob Gordon and Loretta Weinberg which would require nursing homes in the State of New Jersey to use pressure redistribution mattresses to reduce the incidence of bed sores among nursing home residents was approved by the Assembly today by a vote of 78-0.

“While pressure redistribution mattresses may cost more up front than the standard spring mattresses, we cannot put a price on the continued health and wellness of our State’s most vulnerable senior citizens,” said Senator Gordon, D-Bergen. “Pressure sores are one of the most common ailments in nursing homes around the State, and if not treated properly can lead to serious health complications and even death. While these new mattresses alone won’t make bed sores an ailment of the past, they will greatly reduce the incidence of bed sores, and make their treatment much easier on the dedicated nursing home staff.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Bob Gordon and Loretta Weinberg, both D-Bergen, to require that nursing homes convert their beds to pressure redistribution mattresses that help prevent bed sores, was approved by the full Senate today.

“Bed sores can create lasting medical problems for nursing home residents,” said Senator Gordon. “The use of pressure redistribution mattresses is widely recognized as one of the more effective ways to prevent and treat bed sores. These special mattresses cost $100 to $200 more than the price of an ordinary mattress and although the price is higher the hope is that the added expense would be offset by the reduced costs of treatment.”