Explaining a gap after caregiving or layoff (Baltimore)

I have been out of work for 7 months and worry about the gap. This is my first time dealing with any of this. I am nervous about being filtered out. How did you handle it on your résumé?

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

Keep your skills fresh and mention anything recent. It shows momentum.