Explaining a gap after caregiving or layoff after 8 years as a software tester

I took time out to care for a family member after working as a software tester. There are 8 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. I am nervous about being filtered out. What do you say in interviews?

I was hired after a 12-month gap. The manager said the skills test mattered more than the dates.

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