Abstract: Apparatus suitable for lifting a bed mattress, the apparatus comprising a carriage including a mattress support structure upon which a bed mattress can be carried and an elevating mechanism operatively connected to the mattress support structure for moving the mattress support structure between a lowered and a raised position. The apparatus further includes a bedding retention device operatively connected to the carriage so that when the mattress support structure is in the raised position, the bedding retention device is disposed at a lower position than the mattress support structure, and in the lowered position it is caused to adopt a retention position as a result of relative movement between the bedding retention device and the mattress support structure.