The embodiments are based on a positioning apparatus designed to provide assistance by supporting and/or positioning a patient on a patient support apparatus. The patient support apparatus includes a bearing unit to hold the patient and a fastening unit. The fastening unit is designed to fasten the positioning apparatus to the patient support apparatus. The bearing unit includes at least two bearing regions, where it is possible to set a position of the first bearing region in relation to a position of the at least one second bearing region.