How do I describe time off to care for a sick parent on my resume?

Use a short, neutral career break entry, such as "Career break – family care", with honest dates. You do not need to name the illness, the family member or any details of their care.

Example:
"Career break – family care | Feb 2023 – May 2024"

If you did anything relevant during that time, such as a course or occasional freelance work, add it as one bullet. If not, the single line is enough.

In an interview, a brief answer works well: "I took time out to care for a parent. They are now settled, and I'm ready to return to full-time work." You can stop there. Caring for a parent is a common reason for a break, and most employers will understand it without further explanation.