Heart of Health: Linda Armstrong’s passion for geriatric nursing care

Linda Armstrong’s journey in nursing began at the Camp Hill Hospital in Halifax, which sparked a lifelong commitment to geriatric care.

Throughout her career, Linda explored various areas of nursing—from acute care, ambulatory care, research, family medicine and home care in both Nova Scotia and Ontario. But her heart always led her back to geriatric nursing.

In 2004, Linda returned to her roots in geriatric medicine at the QEII Veterans Memorial Building’s Geriatric Ambulatory Care Clinic, caring primarily for patients with dementia. She also worked weekends as a staff nurse and nursing supervisor at a Dartmouth nursing home. Later, she spent seven and a half years at Dartmouth General Hospital as a geriatric assessor on the inpatient consult service, continuing her dedication to older adult care.

"Caring for older adults can be complex, requiring me to draw on all aspects of my nursing education and varied experience," says Linda. “It is this complexity that has always fueled my passion for geriatric nursing."

In 2024, Linda embraced a new opportunity at the expanded Geriatric Medicine Clinic on the Dartmouth General Hospital campus. This new location brings essential care closer to home for patients in Dartmouth and along the Eastern Shore — especially important for those with mobility challenges.

As a long-time Dartmouth resident, Linda understands the value of accessible care. “Years ago, we imagined the benefits of more geriatric services in Dartmouth,” she says. “Being there (last October) when we welcomed our first patient and family, was a career highlight.”

The Dartmouth clinic complements existing locations in Halifax and Lower Sackville. Alongside the expansion came a centralized referral system to prioritize patients in the greatest need and the creation of a more collaborative, team-based approach to care. The team now included geriatricians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, pharmacists, social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and rehabilitation assistants.

“To provide person-centered and accessible care, our team may visit patients at home or by telephone, providing the care they need when and where they need it,” says Linda. “The entire geriatric medicine outpatient team is committed to improving the care we deliver to the population of patients and families we work with, and therefore it is rewarding to see the positive impact the Dartmouth clinic and Dartmouth outreach team are having in terms of decreasing wait times and improving access to service.”

The clinic was also thoughtfully designed to be dementia-friendly, with specific, local artwork and clear signage, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Patients and families are noticing the difference. 

“Overall, the results have been very positive,” says Linda. “People find the clinic calm, easy to navigate and appreciate receiving care closer to home.” 

Linda says the new clinic is proving to be a difference-maker for those in need of care. She says there’s been roughly a 63 per cent decrease in patient wait times for routine appointments compared to the previous year. 

Linda’s dedication and the clinic’s success reflect a shared commitment to compassionate, equitable care for older adults—right in the heart of the community.

Learn more: NS Health expands geriatric medicine outpatient services for older Nova Scotians | Nova Scotia Health

More information about the Geriatric Medicine Clinic: https://www.nshealth.ca/clinics-programs-and-services/geriatric-medicine-clinic

Photo of Linda Armstrong.