A lifting apparatus for lifting a user from a sitting position to a semi-upright position. The lifting apparatus is positioned under the seat portion and along the back portion of the chair. The lifting surface extends from a first roller over a second roller and along the front surface of the chair to the base of the lifting apparatus adjacent the front of the chair. A seating area can be provided in the lifting surface to keep the user in position on the lifting surface. To use the lifting apparatus, the first roller is rotated to wrap the lifting surface onto the first roller which moves the lifting surface away from the front surface of the chair and lifts the user away from the chair.
