Explaining a gap after caregiving or layoff after 17 years as an IT help-desk technician

I took time out to care for a family member after working as an IT help-desk technician. I am nervous about being filtered out.

I listed the volunteering and course under the same dates and kept the explanation to a sentence in the cover letter.

A short, honest line such as 'family caregiving' is enough for most employers. They mostly want to know you are ready now.