In this study, a new concept and architecture for a Life Support Network (LSN) are proposed to support healthy, secure and comfortable lives for elderly people in rural areas. Projects were developed to introduce and evaluate related systems such as a monitoring system for elderly people living alone, as well as a remote healthcare system, which were the main components of the LSN. These projects were carried out in Kawai village, Shiwa town and Tono city in Iwate prefecture. Based on these experiences, this work describes the information obtained and the issues which need to be resolved in the construction of a useful and successful LSN.