Explaining a gap after caregiving or layoff after 8 years as a payroll clerk

I took time out to care for a family member after working as a payroll clerk. I worked as a payroll clerk before this. I have done some volunteering and a course during that time. What do you say in interviews?

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

I was hired after a 13-month gap. The manager said the skills test mattered more than the dates.