The aim of this study was to describe the perceptions of nursing staff concerning the importance of physical touch for the caretaker within community elderly care. Five nurses and seven assistant nurses were interviewed and the material was revised from a phenomenographic approach. During the analysis work an overall category of physical touc Physical touch is a fundamental need and a condition for human development. Within the care and h appeared as a loving act. Three categories of description illustrate caregivers´ perceptions concerning the importance of physical touch for the caretaker: bodily influence, strengthened identity and a deeper sense of community. The result is presented further in different subcategories. The nursing staff perceives that physical touch is experienced as pain-relieving, calming and helps the caretaker to fall asleep. An intestinal dysfunction, common among elderly caretakers, is improved by deliberate physical touch. Some persons can misinterpret touch and get a sense of sexuality. When physical touch is given in a loving way the caretaker is confirmed and the integrity is maintained. The elderly caretaker feels the comfort and the joy. Physical touch means a deeper sense of community to the caretaker through a good communication, a reciprocity and an experience of nearness. The study shows that nursing staff perceives that physical touch has to be given on the caretaker´s condition to be of importance.