Objective To understand the perception of memory impairment in people with subjective memory complaints (SMC), and to provide mentality for implementing targeted nursing intervention in clinic. Methods Phenomenological method was used, and in-depth interviews were conducted among 15 people with SMC. Results The perception of memory impairment in people with SMC could be mainly summarized and classified into 4 themes: accepting reality blindly （fatalism）, ignoring social support （believing that no one else can help）, lacking of knowledge （lacking the methods of memory improving or delaying the deterioration of memory problems, misunderstanding and confused with memory problems）, passive individual perception（memory degrading was a sign of aging, memory decline was the manifestation of dementia）. Conclusion The people with SMC experienced negative perception of memory impairment.Medical staff should be aware of the perception source of memory impairment among the people with SMC, and take intervention as early as possible, so as to help patients forming positive perception of memory impairment, and choosing health-related behaviors.