Purpose: During the past ten years, the number of men assuming primary caregiving roles for chronically ill older adults is increasing due to changes in aging demographics, greater geographic mobility, and the roles of women in the workplace. While it is commonly assumed women make better caregivers, men possess many attributes that enable them to succeed as a caregiver, such as utilizing a range of internal coping strategies to assist them, viewing their caregiving as an extension of their career, establishing a problem solving process to assist them, and educating themselves on the disease and appropriate treatments. One area within the male caregiver research that has not received a great deal of attention is the issue of intimacy and commitment that male caregivers feel towards the care recipient. This paper utilizes a qualitative approach to answer the following research question: How do male caregivers of chronically ill older adults experience intimacy with and commitment towards the care recipient? Methods: Twenty male caregivers, who lived in rural communities in Iowa, participated in two semi-structured qualitative interviews, (spaced roughly four months apart), about their experiences caregiving for a chronically ill older adult. Each interview was tape recorded and transcribed. Qualitative methodology, based on the tenets of phenomenology, was used for this study. Data were analyzed through content analysis and open coding. All members of the research team analyzed the data to ensure validity of findings. Results: Four themes emerged from the data related to the experience of the male caregivers about their feelings of intimacy and commitment towards the care recipient: 1. Redefining the relationship; 2. Dealing with unmet sexual needs; 3. Determining when “enough is enough” (as a caregiver); and 4. Re-prioritizing what is important in life. These findings demonstrate how men define intimacy and commitment and how they handle changes in the closeness of the relationship as a result of chronic illness and caregiving responsibilities. Implications for Practice and Research: The voices of male caregivers need to be heard within social work practice and research. This study demonstrates that issues of intimacy and commitment are at the forefront of the caregiving experience of men. The results from this study have significant implications for social workers providing services to male caregivers and their care recipients. Additionally, this study highlights the importance of discussing intimacy and commitment with caregivers. Future research on male caregivers can build upon these findings to assist in examining intimacy and commitment in greater depth.