How do I handle a long gap on my résumé? after 17 years as a data-entry clerk

My résumé shows a gap from a layoff and some health issues. There are 17 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. I am nervous about being filtered out. How did you handle it on your résumé?

I was hired after a 2-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.