My mother will take a sip of something and then just hold it in her mouth. If I notice and remind her to swallow she will swallow and then thank me. She says she doesn't know why she doesn't swallow. She doesn't do this with food but does do it sometimes when swallowing pills (with liquid).
I finally had the nurse tell her the pills were her vitamins.
Now she is holding water in her mouth but not her soda. Even if I tell her to swallow, it takes a few seconds to follow instructions. Currently I am just watching her to ensure she does not choke. I intend to discuss this with her doctors.
Sorry I can't be of more help
Actually it is almost better since her delaying swallowing delays the aspiration that often happens when the body does not recognize thin liquids.
You can ask for a swallow test or you can get a product like Thick-It and thicken liquids like water, juice broth and the like.
Do know that Thick-It does not work with Benifiber the liquid stays thin so if a product like Benifiber is being used it will have to be put in a thicker food like a pudding, soup, pureed vegetables or meat.
For pills, the only way DH will take them is in Ice Cream. This was started 2 years ago in the hospital and I just continue as he likes the ice cream. He is 96.