Explaining a gap after caregiving or layoff (update)

I have been out of work for 7 months and worry about the gap. I am in Raleigh, in case local advice matters. I am nervous about being filtered out. 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.

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