A patient lifting assembly includes a first housing that is coupled to a vertical support surface to be positioned adjacent to a user's head when the user is lying in a bed. A first cable is retracted or extended outwardly from the first housing. A first handle is coupled to the first cable and the first handle can be gripped by a user to urge the user toward the head of the bed. A second housing is coupled to a vertical support surface to be positioned adjacent to a user's feet when the user is lying in the bed. A second cable is retracted or extended outwardly from the second housing. A second handle is coupled to the second cable and the second handle can be gripped by a user to urge the user into an upright, seated position.